--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who have power a) understand that…" description: "\"Those who have power a) understand that the world is not always a just and fair place and accept that fact, b) understand the bases and strategies for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7c/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_accepting_those-who-have-power-a-understand-that-t_1529762.jpg" --- # Those who have power a) understand that the world is not… ![“Those who have power a) understand that the world is not always a just and fair place and accept that fact, b) understand the bases and strategies for acquiring power, and c) take actions consistent with their knowledge in a skillful way. Skill at anything requires practice, and power skills are…” quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7c/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_accepting_those-who-have-power-a-understand-that-t_1529762.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7c/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_accepting_those-who-have-power-a-understand-that-t_1529762.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7c/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_accepting_those-who-have-power-a-understand-that-t_1529762.jpg) > “Those who have power a) understand that the world is not always a just and fair place and accept that fact, b) understand the bases and strategies for acquiring power, and c) take actions consistent with their knowledge in a skillful way. Skill at anything requires practice, and power skills are no different.” [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective leaders recognize power’s unfairness, learn acquisition strategies, and act skillfully, understanding that power development requires practice like any other skill. **In simple terms:** Power is unfair; learn it and use it wisely. Key Takeaway Develop power through practice and ethical action. Themes power leadership ethics skill development Mood analytical reflective Type explanatory motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - organizational change - negotiation - team management Key Concepts strategic thinking influence political acumen Questions to Reflect On - What ethical boundaries guide your use of power? - How can you practice power skills responsibly? A Different Perspective Power can be misused; ethical considerations are essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Acquiring Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquiring-power-2105316/) [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Consistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consistent/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairs/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-skills-2665227/) [Power Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-understand-2401184/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-power-3753418/) [Skill Requires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skill-requires-2821852/) [Skillful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skillful/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“IS WHERE POWER GOES”: the most significant factor in any equation that adds up to political power, Lyndon Johnson had assured his allies, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-caro/is-where-power-goes-the-most-significant-factor-in-any-equation-that/) [Robert A. Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-caro/) > [“The power of skills and knowledge is that they are transferable from one person to another. Their limitation is that they are often situation-specific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-buckingham/the-power-of-skills-and-knowledge-is-that-they-are-transferable-from/) [Marcus Buckingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-buckingham/) > [“The next time you have a high-stakes meeting, a presentation, or an important social engagement, practice power posing beforehand to potently and powerfully impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-next-time-you-have-a-high-stakes-meeting-a-presentation-or-an/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/happiness-is-a-skill-it-requires-effort-and-time/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [Collaboration, it turns out, is not a gift from the gods but a skill that requires effort and practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-b-reeves/collaboration-it-turns-out-is-not-a-gift-from-the-gods-but-a-skill/) [Douglas B. Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-b-reeves/) > [“The knowledge of the worker is often called ‘skill’, for it requires manual dexterity and training. The knowledge of the manager is ‘academic’ as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/awdhesh-singh/the-knowledge-of-the-worker-is-often-called-skill-for-it-requires/) [Awdhesh Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/awdhesh-singh/) > [We are not born focusing. It's an acquired skill that requires initial effort and constant upgrading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/we-are-not-born-focusing-it-s-an-acquired-skill-that-requires-initial/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Any skill requires training. I took the corporate approach to acting and wanted to develop the necessary skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-daggubati/any-skill-requires-training-i-took-the-corporate-approach-to-acting/) [Rana Daggubati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-daggubati/) > [“You don’t understand that power is not everything. Understand there is more to life than just power. Being power hungry brings weakness to you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/braxton-stewart/you-don-t-understand-that-power-is-not-everything-understand-there-is/) [Braxton Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/braxton-stewart/) > [To claim power over what you do not understand is not wise, nor is the end of it likely to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/to-claim-power-over-what-you-do-not-understand-is-not-wise-nor-is-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-superstition-in-which-we-were-brought-up-never-loses-its-power/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [See, people with power understand exactly one thing: violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/see-people-with-power-understand-exactly-one-thing-violence/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Other people can inspire you. They can guide you. But in the end, you have the power to understand yourself—and even understand the human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/other-people-can-inspire-you-they-can-guide-you-but-in-the-end-you/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [Oh, how hard it is to part with power! This one has to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-how-hard-it-is-to-part-with-power-this-one-has-to-understand/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) ## More by Jeffrey Pfeffer > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/business-school-graduates-from-the-best-schools-earn-large-salaries/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The individual attributes of warmth and competence are often perceived to be negatively correlated. That doesn't mean they actually are, but that's how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-individual-attributes-of-warmth-and-competence-are-often/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Today, if the CEO thinks it's a good idea, it's done everywhere; if the CEO thinks it's a bad idea, it's done nowhere. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/today-if-the-ceo-thinks-it-s-a-good-idea-it-s-done-everywhere-if-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Almost no one as I think most leadership books are a joke. They are, as I note in Leadership BS, frequently based on wishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/almost-no-one-as-i-think-most-leadership-books-are-a-joke-they-are-as/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Authenticity seems like sort of a joke. Actually I believe it was the late comedian George Burns who said, "if you can fake sincerity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/authenticity-seems-like-sort-of-a-joke-actually-i-believe-it-was-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Everyone faces defeats, setbacks, reversals of fortune. But just like water wearing away rock, persistence triumphs. Resilience is one of the most important qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/everyone-faces-defeats-setbacks-reversals-of-fortune-but-just-like/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Many companies believe incentives, financial incentives, are the answer to every problem or issue. But people are motivated by much more than money. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/many-companies-believe-incentives-financial-incentives-are-the-answer/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Leaders are not modest, and more importantly, the extensive social science research on narcissism, self-promotion, and similar constructs shows that these qualities and behaviors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/leaders-are-not-modest-and-more-importantly-the-extensive-social/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“When two people always agree, one of them is unnecessary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/when-two-people-always-agree-one-of-them-is-unnecessary/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [I completely reject the idea that working adults need to be treated like infants or worse and not told the realities, harsh or not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/i-completely-reject-the-idea-that-working-adults-need-to-be-treated/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The stories leaders and others tell, few of which are true, are a lousy foundation on which to base any sort of science, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-stories-leaders-and-others-tell-few-of-which-are-true-are-a-lousy/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Being memorable equals getting picked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/being-memorable-equals-getting-picked/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“(like the BMW mechanic who handed Robert Sutton a survey and pleaded for a five on a five-point scale, because otherwise he would get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/like-the-bmw-mechanic-who-handed-robert-sutton-a-survey-and-pleaded/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Typical pay increases are not enough to motivate employees, but they are enough to irritate them. … Even when companies create seemingly significant pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/typical-pay-increases-are-not-enough-to-motivate-employees-but-they/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) [Explore all 78 Jeffrey Pfeffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who have power a) understand that the world is not always a just and fair place and accept that fact, b) understand the bases and strategies for acquiring power, and c) take actions consistent with their knowledge in a skillful way. 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