Join Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford professor and expert on leadership, as he challenges common misconceptions about power. He argues that ambition is critical for success and emphasizes the importance of self-promotion and personal branding. Dr. Pfeffer shares why likability won't advance your career and how authenticity can coexist with power. He advocates for taking charge of your career journey and mastering the dynamics of influence, encouraging listeners to stop waiting for permission and start owning their professional spaces.
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insights INSIGHT
Power Is Everywhere
Power is everywhere in social life, even in small decisions like choosing a movie or vacation spot.
It resolves disagreements because people have different goals and priorities.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Advocate For Yourself
You must get noticed and advocate for yourself to succeed.
Self-promotion and visibility are essential since good work alone isn’t enough.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Leadership Is Not About Likability
As a leader, focus on getting things done rather than being liked.
Leadership requires making tough decisions that won’t always please everyone.
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This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics[2][4][5].
Seven Rules for Power
Seven Rules for Power
Surprising--but True--Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career
Jeffrey Pfeffer
This book delves into the dynamics of power in the workplace, offering practical strategies for career advancement. It explores various tactics and approaches to gaining influence and achieving goals within organizational settings. The book also examines the role of power in shaping business outcomes and societal impact. It provides insights into how individuals can navigate power dynamics effectively and ethically. The book is intended for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and achieve success in their careers.
Never Eat Alone
And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Keith Ferrazzi
In 'Never Eat Alone,' Keith Ferrazzi shares his insights on networking and relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and mutual success. The book outlines specific steps and an inner mindset for connecting with others, highlighting principles such as generosity, constant communication, and reciprocity without keeping score. Ferrazzi draws from his own experiences and those of highly connected individuals to provide practical advice on handling rejection, attending events, and maintaining long-lasting connections in both personal and professional settings.
Power
Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t
Jeffrey Pfeffer
In this book, Jeffrey Pfeffer provides insightful and often counterintuitive advice on how power is successfully built and maintained in organizations. Drawing from his extensive experience in consulting and teaching, Pfeffer argues that power is not just for a select few but can be harnessed by anyone. The book dispels the myth that power is only for those in charge and instead reveals the true paths to career success, emphasizing the importance of personal networks, reputation, and effective social interactions. Pfeffer uses numerous examples from various countries and industries to illustrate his points, making the book an essential organizational survival manual and a new standard in the field of leadership and management.
In this power-packed episode of ROAR, Lakecia Gunter sits down with world-renowned Stanford professor and leadership expert Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer to unpack the truth about power—what it is, how it works, and why it’s essential to your career success. Together, they break down the misconceptions about power being manipulative or negative and reframe it as a necessary tool for creating change. Dr. Pfeffer challenges listeners to embrace ambition, build influence, and understand the real dynamics of leadership and success in modern workplaces.
From why likability is overrated to how to build your personal brand and attract power allies, this conversation is a masterclass in strategic thinking and career empowerment. Dr. Pfeffer doesn’t just teach theory—he delivers hard-hitting truths about visibility, self-advocacy, and how to stop waiting for permission and start owning your space. Whether you’re an emerging leader or navigating high-stakes boardrooms, this episode offers the mindset and methods to build power with purpose.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
(04:00) Why power shows up in every aspect of life—including choosing a movie
(06:00) The real definition of power—and how to know if you're using it
(08:30) Why ambition isn’t a dirty word—and how it directly fuels your success
(11:00) Why hard work isn’t enough—and the career-killing myth of “just being good”
(15:30) Can you be authentic and powerful? The surprising answer
(17:35) The #1 trait professionals underestimate in building a career
(20:00) How to start building power—from mindset shifts to daily habits
(23:55) How to find and attract “power allies” who can elevate your journey
(27:49) The four sources of power—and the easiest one to build early
(30:00) What most people do wrong after gaining power—and how to avoid it
(35:10) Two game-changing moves you can take in the next 30 days
(37:59) Why you don’t need a wishbone—you need a backbone
Roar with Lakecia Gunter 
