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: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

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

Jeffrey Pfeffer

3.88 (5174 Reviews)

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

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Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't n'est pas qu'un simple livre — c'est une masterclass en Business. Pour vous aider à absorber ses leçons de la manière qui vous convient le mieux, nous proposons cinq modes d'apprentissage uniques. Que vous soyez un penseur profond, un apprenant rapide ou un amateur d'histoires, il y a un mode conçu pour votre style.

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"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"

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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000+ esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le 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

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

Jeffrey Pfeffer

3.88 (5174 Reviews)

Business Career Leadership Relationship

Aperçu

Points Clés

Auteur

Questions Fréquentes

Explorez Votre Façon d'Apprendre

Résumé Rapide9min

Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur

Approfondissement42min

Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples

Fiches mémo10 idées

Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide

Fun24min

Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante

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

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

Dans le même genre

Power Relationships

Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas

The Power Paradox

Dacher Keltner

Power Questions

Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas

The Power of the Other

Henry Cloud

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

27 sources

Power Plays: The Strategy Behind Influence

28 sources

The Power Playbook: Why Politics is Rigged

Points clés

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

Explorez Votre Façon d'Apprendre

Résumé Rapide

Résumé de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en 9 Minutes

Décomposez les idées clés de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en points faciles à comprendre pour découvrir comment les équipes innovantes créent, collaborent et grandissent.

00:00

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Top 10 Idées de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en Bref

Condensez Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en indices de mémoire rapides mettant en évidence les principes clés de franchise, de travail d'équipe et de résilience créative.

Fun

Leçons de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't Racontées en Histoires de 24 Min

Découvrez Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't à travers des récits vivants qui transforment les leçons d'innovation en moments mémorables et applicables.

00:00

Personnaliser

Découvrez Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't à votre façon.

Posez n'importe quelle question, choisissez la voix et co-créez des idées qui résonnent vraiment avec vous.

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000+ esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le 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

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000+ esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le 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

Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage, maintenant

Telecharger ce resume

Obtenez le resume de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en PDF ou EPUB gratuit. Imprimez-le ou lisez-le hors ligne a tout moment.

Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer Summary

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Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer Summary

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

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

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

Dans le même genre

Points clés

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

Mode Résumé Rapide - Lisez ou écoutez le résumé de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en 9 minutes

Mode Fiches mémo - Top 10 Idées de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't en Bref

Mode Fun - Leçons de Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't Racontées en Histoires de 24 Min

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

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

Dans le même genre

Points clés

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