What is *Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t* about?

Jeffrey Pfeffer’s *Power* examines how to build influence in organizations, arguing that merit alone rarely guarantees success. It provides actionable strategies for gaining power, including cultivating visibility, building strategic networks, and mastering organizational politics. The book challenges the “just-world fallacy,” emphasizing proactive self-advocacy over passive reliance on hard work.

Who should read *Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t*?

Aspiring leaders, mid-career professionals, and anyone navigating hierarchical workplaces will benefit. Pfeffer’s insights are particularly valuable for roles requiring influence without formal authority, such as product managers or cross-functional leads. Critics note its pragmatic—some say cynical—approach to organizational dynamics.

Is *Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t* worth reading?

Yes, for its evidence-based tactics on career advancement. Pfeffer combines academic research (e.g., linking power to longevity) with case studies of figures like Jack Welch. While some criticize its ethical ambiguity, the book’s unflinching look at workplace realities makes it a standout in leadership literature.

What are the 7 qualities for building power according to Pfeffer?

1. **Ambition** 2. **Energy** 3. **Focus** 4. **Self-knowledge** 5. **Confidence** 6. **Empathy** 7. **Conflict tolerance** Notably, intelligence and job performance are excluded. Pfeffer argues these traits can be developed through deliberate practice.

How does *Power* address health and longevity?

Low-power roles correlate with higher mortality risks, per a 7,372-subject UK study. Stress from lack of control—not just lifestyle factors—drives this disparity. Pfeffer urges readers to “seek power as if your life depends on it,” linking status to biological resilience.

What is the “just-world hypothesis” critique in *Power*?

The myth that merit alone ensures success leads people to underestimate political savvy. Pfeffer shows how high performers often fail promotions by avoiding self-promotion or networking. He advises reframing “fairness” as a game with learnable rules.

Does *Power* recommend unethical behavior?

While Pfeffer acknowledges tactics like flattering superiors or deflecting blame, he frames them as neutral tools. Critics argue this ignores moral consequences, but supporters praise its realism about corporate survival.

How does *Power* suggest handling setbacks?

Maintain resilience through **reputation management** and **strategic pivots**. Examples include Anne’s MBA-era power play (switching classes to access scarcer engineers) and CEOs preemptively ousting rivals.

Power Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Power

Jeffrey Pfeffer

3.88 (5174 Reviews)

Business Career Leadership Relationship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Jeffrey Pfeffer's "Power" shatters workplace myths: success isn't about talent but political savvy. Praised by Jim Collins as "indispensable" and ranked among Thinkers50's top management guides, it reveals why nice guys finish last. Ready to play the real game?

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Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Power

The surest way to maintain your position and build power is helping those above you feel better about themselves.

Explore Your Way of Learning

Power isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Business. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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108

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Power

Jeffrey Pfeffer

3.88 (5174 Reviews)

Business Career Leadership Relationship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun24min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Power

The surest way to maintain your position and build power is helping those above you feel better about themselves.

More Like This

Power Relationships

Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas

Power Questions

Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas

Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't

27 sources

Power Plays: The Strategy Behind Influence

3 sources

Mastering Workplace Power: From Victim to Victory

28 sources

The Power Playbook: Why Politics is Rigged

Acting with Power

Deborah Gruenfeld

Key Takeaways

The Illusion That Merit Always Wins

00:00

What if everything you believed about career success was wrong? We're taught that hard work, talent, and integrity pave the road to the top. Yet award-winning school superintendent Rudy Crew was forced out months after being named National Superintendent of the Year. Ken Kizer transformed the Veterans Health Administration into what experts called "the best medical care in the U.S."-then lost his job to political opposition. Even Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple, was once fired from his own company. The uncomfortable truth? Performance alone doesn't guarantee advancement, and poor performance doesn't necessarily doom you. Research reveals that job evaluations are heavily influenced by supervisors' prior opinions rather than actual results. What truly determines who rises isn't just what you accomplish-it's whether the right people know about it, remember you, and feel good around you. The "mere exposure effect" shows that familiarity breeds preference. Your brilliance matters far less than your visibility, and the sooner you accept this reality, the faster you'll stop waiting for recognition that may never arrive.

The Seven Qualities That Command Attention

Positioning Yourself Where Power Lives

Standing Out Without Apology

Networks That Multiply Your Reach

Speaking and Acting Like You've Already Arrived

The Price of Power and Why It's Worth Paying

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Power Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Power into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from Power in a Nutshell

Distill Power into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Power Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Experience Power through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Power in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

Get the Power summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer Summary

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Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer Summary

Overview of Power

Similar books to Power

Best quote from Power

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Illusion That Merit Always Wins

The Seven Qualities That Command Attention

Positioning Yourself Where Power Lives

Standing Out Without Apology

Networks That Multiply Your Reach

Speaking and Acting Like You've Already Arrived

The Price of Power and Why It's Worth Paying

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Power Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Power in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Power Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Power Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Power PDF

Download Power EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Illusion That Merit Always Wins

The Seven Qualities That Command Attention

Positioning Yourself Where Power Lives

Standing Out Without Apology

Networks That Multiply Your Reach

Speaking and Acting Like You've Already Arrived

The Price of Power and Why It's Worth Paying