Powerful people can choose to undermine or elevate morality in their sphere of influence and authority. Why do some succumb to the dark side of power?

This course explores the complex relationship between power and morality in our own times. It illustrates enduring ethical principles through recent examples of prominent leaders who rationalized or ignored their abuses of power and disrespected fundamental ethics. This session uses findings from modern science to explain why and how power heightens self-focus and indulges unethical tendencies. It also demonstrates how the universal law of reciprocity guarantees a countering desire and effort to exact consequences from offenders.

Whether you aspire to be influential or already possess authority, understanding the insidious side of power and influence can help you walk the tightrope of leadership accountability without falling into an abyss of consequences.

Basic Course Information

• Understand the origin and two major types of power and influence
• Appreciate why power is always an enemy of ethics
• Acknowledge the scientific side of power
• Find strengths for personal power and positive impact
• See how moral courage and humility create ethical power

• The two sides of leadership
• Practices that build and destroy an organization’s value and spirit
• Toxic leader characteristics
• Four sources of leadership power
• Push vs. pull leadership styles
• Six 'Rules of Influence' that cause one person to say 'yes' to another person
• Ways to defend ourselves against toxic leaders
• How to use corporate politics to our advantage and still do the right thing