By: Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi
I have often observed how power is capable of altering human nature. In Kashmir, for example, I have observed individuals who seemed totally humble and courteous when they were not in power and suddenly their nature completely changing if they get a hold on power. This sudden transformation is not only unfortunate but also raises a basic question: Does power test our character or change it entirely?
Power is a double edged sword. It can take an individual to great heights of leadership and influence, and it can also reveal and magnify any or all concealed flaws. When an individual who was once kind and thoughtful turns arrogant and aloof, it makes us wonder if power has transformed them or simply brought out their true nature. Power is more likely to be a magnifying glass that brings out qualities always present but not necessarily visible. It may not create a new individual but also probes the one already in existence.
We need to understand that power carries a lot of expectations and accountability with it. People look up to those in power for inspiration, motivation, and leadership. But with power also come temptations and challenges that test our inner strengths. It is easy to lose ourselves in the privileges and prerogatives of power. You might start feeling that you are better than people and don’t need to explain what you do. This is where character comes in. If your character is strong, power will only accentuate your good traits. But if your character is not strong, power can reveal and exaggerate your weakness.
It is something that I have seen acted out in life in Kashmir and in many other situations. I have seen individuals who used to be grounded and empathetic becoming un-empathetic detached. It is as though power acts as a catalyst, speeding up a chemical reaction in the person, releasing dimensions of their personality that were not obvious initially. This change is typically not incremental but sudden, so all the more surprising to those who knew them beforehand.
One of the most important reasons why power affects people differently is the tendency of human beings to be victims of the illusion of control. When an individual attains power, he also makes himself invincible in his own eyes, as if nothing is capable of happening to him. He becomes arrogant and superior in mind. One will not be surprised to find the powerful surrounded by individuals who blindly follow him to support his opinions and protect him from reality. This isolation, however, would also misshape further their perspective regarding themselves and others.
I believe that introspection is crucial when we find ourselves in positions of power. We must ask ourselves where our ancestors are today. Many of them held powerful positions, yet they are now only a memory, often forgotten. They, too, had opportunities to leave lasting legacies, but their stories faded over time. This should remind us that power is temporary, and what really lasts is the change that we bring to other individuals. Instead of letting power change us, we should look at it as an opportunity to serve and to uplift others. We can transform power into a true test of character and not a force for ruining transformation by staying humble and grounded.
The lives of past leaders and influential individuals are good lessons. Some became great not just because they were influential but because they were good. They were examples, remained close to their people, and used their influence for the greater good. History is also full of stories of those who lost everything when power exposed their weaknesses. Their downfall was typically caused by allowing power to change them, to cause them to forget where they originated and the principles of which they were originally the leaders.
But those with close contact with individuals in authority should be aware that being in authority is such as having a crown of thorns. It is not so much a case of authority. It is an issue of shouldering duties and expectations. We being subordinates, we should be assisting them, not only in blind following but with co operation in good spirit.
By working together, we can bring about positive changes. Instead of complaining about their every step, we should put forward alternatives and be a supportive hand. Power will only propel progress if the leaders and the led share similar visions. We must not forget that our cooperation can ease their burdens and help them convert challenges into opportunities. Positive cooperation can make power a positive force, and all will benefit from it.
I have also observed that the change of behavior usually depends on the surrounding environment of the person in power. A positive and honest support team can keep a leader down to earth, offering constructive criticism and acting as a mirror reflecting reality. In contrast, a toxic culture in which each step of the leader is romanticized creates the false impression of being perfect. As admirers and subordinates, it is our job either to help them maintain their integrity or in their fall into the dark side.
For those who lead, ongoing self-reflection can serve as a counter to the corrupting impact of power. They must ask themselves if they remain in touch with the ground realities. Are they still hearing the voices of those who may not always agree with them? Are they using their power to serve or dominate? These are not only important questions but questions that need to be asked to make sure that power remains a test of character and not an enabler for a bad change.
At a more societal level, society also has a role to play. We do love to admire and even sanctify power, if perhaps at the cost of what that power does. Instead of admiring power, we should be admiring humility, empathy, and integrity. When we put our focus not on the role of power but on the character of nature, we make the world a place where power cannot corrupt as easily.
Power does not transform one into what they are but tries one. It tries one’s character, drawing out the best or worst in someone. It is a mighty force, a force that can be used to construct or to demolish. When wielded with humility and integrity, power can yield enduring positive change.
But with arrogance and selfishness, it can lead to a downfall. Whether power is a test of character or the force for change is not within power itself but the person wielding it and the environment in which they are operating. We all have a part to play, either in or around power or as those who support and deal with power. Together, by self-reflection, cooperation, and honesty, we can ensure that power is a force for good and not an instrument of corruption.
The writer is a Teacher. [email protected]
