Attention Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer
“Nothing comes without trade-offs. Do you want to spend time with people who like, or with people who might be useful to you? Do you really want to put in the long hours and constant attention required to be successful in your quest for power? Do you really want to be under the microscope on a daily basis, with people commenting on the car you drive, where you live, where you go on vacation, and so forth? There is no way to avoid the price of power. It's up to you to decide if it is worth it, and to change course when it isn't.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't, Jeffrey Pfeffer, 2010
Power demands sacrifices and constant scrutiny; one must weigh personal costs against benefits.
In simple terms: Power costs effort and privacy.
Key Takeaway
Decide if the benefits outweigh the sacrifices.
Themes
power
trade-offs
privacy
ambition
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political leadership
- entrepreneurship
- public life
Key Concepts
social status
personal cost
public scrutiny
Questions to Reflect On
- Are you willing to sacrifice privacy for influence?
- What limits will you set to protect yourself?
A Different Perspective
The desire for power can lead to burnout and loss of personal relationships.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
