Power is our desire for influence and one of our life motives according to Ph.D. Steven Reiss. It motivates us to seek to influence people, events, or the environment. We all have this need, but to a very different extent, from a very low need for some – to a very high need for others.
Those who have a weak power motive, seek usually supporting roles in work life. Some of them may prefer to work as specialists, rather than managing people.
People with weak desire for power are people oriented and they listen to their colleagues’ opinions. Even though they might not seek managerial positions, some of them are promoted to managers. Many of them could make good managers, as they listen to their co-workers and would involve co-workers before making any important decisions affecting them. It is easier to succeed if the people doing the work are involved.
If you want to know more about differences in motivation, Mindful is conducting Reiss motivation profile leadership trainings, see below link:
http://www.mindful.se/tjanster/ledarskap/ledarskapsutbildning/motiverande-ledare/
Aila Kekkonen
Certified Reiss Motivation Profile coach, facilitator and trainer