The integrity of power

We cannot avoid power; it pervades our life, from childhood into old age. We can feel powerless, or all-powerful. We can love power, or hate it. As long as we remain unaware of our own relationship with power, we are relinquishing a great deal of it because power always affects us, whether we are aware of it or not. The purpose of this book is to increase insight into what power is and how it works, and to encourage a greater awareness of the significance of power in our life and work. Self-knowledge helps us avoid being manacled by the many temptations of power. Anyone who eschews the responsibility of power makes himself smaller than he is, while a person who indulges excessively in power loses himself.

In this book, Oscar David, an organisation psychologist and boardroom consultant, relates stories, often very personal ones, and draws from his abundant experience in his search for the many elements that make up power. He also introduces a new model of power. In addition to power 1.0, based on our primeval instincts to take charge, and power 2.0, which is all about control and regulations, there is power 3.0: exercising power with integrity.

'Power is the great taboo of organisations - and of relationships - yet it is probably one of the major factors in our well-being in life and work. Oscar David brings a truly unique perspective as a business consultant and coach, combining these narratives with gripping personal stories to this central ingredient of human relationships.'

Ian Robertson, Professor of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin. His books include 'The Winner Effect: How Power Affects Your Brain' and 'Mind Sculpture: Unleashing Your Brain's Potential'.