Where should you look to find the most creative, flexible, forward-thinking people in your organization - at the top, or in the rank-and-file? For years, the answer provided by research seemed a straightforward one: powerful people are more creative. But thanks to a recent set of studies, it's clear that the story is a bit more complicated than that.
Being in a position of power certainly changes you - not necessarily in an evil way, but there is a definite shift in how you perceive the world around you when you're the one in the driver's seat. You think in a more abstract, big-picture way. You become more optimistic, more comfortable with risk, and more open to new possibilities. (A series of studies by Cameron Anderson and Adam Galinsky showed that when people felt powerful, they preferred riskier business plans with bigger potential rewards to more conservative plans, divulged more information and were more trusting during negotiations, chose to "hit" more often during a game of black-jack, and were more even likely to engage in unprotected sex during a one-night stand.)
To read the full, original article click on this link: Are The Best Innovators Those Who Have Power, Or Those Who Want It? | Fast Company
Author:Heidi Grant Halvorson
