--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You are more likely to acquire power by…" description: "\"You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your focus and applying your energies, like the sun's rays, to a limited range of activities in a sma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg" --- # You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your… ![“You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your focus and applying your energies, like the sun's rays, to a limited range of activities in a small number of domains.” quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg) > “You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your focus and applying your energies, like the sun's rays, to a limited range of activities in a small number of domains.” [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. Focused effort on a few domains concentrates power like sunlight, increasing influence. **In simple terms:** Focus builds power. Key Takeaway Concentrate your energy on key areas. Themes leadership focus power dynamics Mood strategic analytical Type leadership practical When to use this quote - career advancement - political campaigns - entrepreneurship - academic research Key Concepts strategic concentration resource allocation expertise development Questions to Reflect On - Which areas should you prioritize? - How to maintain breadth while focusing? A Different Perspective Over‑specialization can limit adaptability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) [Acquire Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire-power-812612/) [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Applying Energies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applying-energies-3823458/) [Domain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domain/) [Energies Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energies-like-3823459/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Narrowing Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrowing-focus-2382569/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [Power Narrowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-narrowing-3823460/) [Range](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/range/) [Rays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rays/) [Small numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-numbers/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) ## Related quotes > [All things are nourished together without their injuring one another. The courses of the seasons, and of the sun and moon, are pursued without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/all-things-are-nourished-together-without-their-injuring-one-another/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“The essence of marketing is narrowing the focus. You become stronger when you reduce the scope of your operations. You can’t stand for something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ries-jack-trout/the-essence-of-marketing-is-narrowing-the-focus-you-become-stronger/) [Al Ries, Jack Trout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ries-jack-trout/) > [Short stories demand a certain awareness of one's own intentions, a certain narrowing of the focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/short-stories-demand-a-certain-awareness-of-one-s-own-intentions-a/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [My job in my work is not to acquire power; it's to question power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-deavere-smith/my-job-in-my-work-is-not-to-acquire-power-it-s-to-question-power/) [Anna Deavere Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-deavere-smith/) > [We are not entering into politics to acquire power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arvind-kejriwal/we-are-not-entering-into-politics-to-acquire-power/) [Arvind Kejriwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arvind-kejriwal/) > [The only way to make a difference is to acquire power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-make-a-difference-is-to-acquire-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Men don’t overthrow governments just to create a vacuum. 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And the flaw is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-surowiecki/unfortunately-there-is-something-of-a-flaw-in-this-idealized-picture/) [James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-surowiecki/) > [Clearly, we were hoping to get some competitive proposals, but the reality is there are only a small number of firms that would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-perrin/clearly-we-were-hoping-to-get-some-competitive-proposals-but-the/) [Michael Perrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-perrin/) > [A State divided into a small number of rich and a large number of poor will always develop a government manipulated by the rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-laski/a-state-divided-into-a-small-number-of-rich-and-a-large-number-of/) [Harold Laski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-laski/) > [Geometry, like arithmetic, requires for its logical development only a small number of simple, fundamental principles. These fundamental principles are called the axioms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hilbert/geometry-like-arithmetic-requires-for-its-logical-development-only-a/) [David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hilbert/) > [Taste is the best judge. It is rare. Art only addresses itself to an excessively small number of individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/taste-is-the-best-judge-it-is-rare-art-only-addresses-itself-to-an/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [It seems to me that the soul, when alone with itself and speaking to itself, uses only a small number of words, none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/it-seems-to-me-that-the-soul-when-alone-with-itself-and-speaking-to/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-cannot-escape-from-the-conclusion-that-the-great-ages-of-progress/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Belief in the Law of Small Numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/belief-in-the-law-of-small-numbers/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) ## 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. 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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 Acquire quotes > [Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/most-people-seek-after-what-they-do-not-possess-and-are-enslaved-by/) [Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [This was Shakespeare's form ; Who walk'd in every path of human life, Felt every passion ; and to all mankind Doth now, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/this-was-shakespeare-s-form-who-walk-d-in-every-path-of-human-life/) [Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/) > [Wasn't Saddam destroyed? Wasn't Gaddafi liquidated? Didn't Milosevic go to the Hague? All true. But Stalin survived. Kim Jong-un isn't doing too badly, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/wasn-t-saddam-destroyed-wasn-t-gaddafi-liquidated-didn-t-milosevic-go/) [Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/) > [The best way for women to acquire knowledge is from conversation with a father, a brother, or a friend, in the way of family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-letitia-barbauld/the-best-way-for-women-to-acquire-knowledge-is-from-conversation-with/) [Anna Letitia Barbauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-letitia-barbauld/) > [Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do anything, believe anything in order to acquire it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/have-you-ever-wanted-something-so-badly-that-you-would-do-anything/) [Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/) [Peter Martins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-martins/) > [You can't know it all. 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To acquire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-harner/shamanism-is-a-path-of-knowledge-not-of-faith-and-that-knowledge/) [Michael Harner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-harner/) [Browse all 1,020 Acquire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your focus and applying your energies, like the sun's rays, to a limited range of activities in a small number of domains.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeffrey Pfeffer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by-narrowing-your-focus-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acquire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by-narrowing-your-focus-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_acquire_you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by_2855341.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You are more likely to acquire power by narrowing your focus and applying your energies, like the sun's…” — Jeffrey Pfeffer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeffrey Pfeffer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You are more likely to acquire...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by-narrowing-your-focus-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/you-are-more-likely-to-acquire-power-by-narrowing-your-focus-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```