The Real Rules of Power: How to Lead, Influence, and Rise—Without Waiting for Permission

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Jun 10, 2025

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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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.

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.

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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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

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Connect with Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer

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