People In Power..

I always wonder aloud and think in silence why people in power change and I know you've had similar thoughts. I always ask myself why people so utterly disconnected from reality that they suddenly become completely unrecognisable to people who knew them before they got power . Why they appear possessed by inexplicably malignant forces and why they notoriously insensitive and self-absorbed.

Everyone who has ever had a friend in a position of power, especially political power can attest to the accuracy of the age-old truism that a friend in power is a lost friend. I know there are exceptions but the existence of such exceptions is what even makes it a reality. As the saying goes "the exception proves the rule ".

Abraham Lincoln was so right when he said "If you want to test a man's character, give him power ". Look at all the power holders in your area from the president to the area Assembly man and you will discover that there is a vast disconnect between who they were before they got power and who they are now.

Also look at previous power holders who became power-drunk and arrogant but has now been kicked out of the obit of power for a number of reasons. You'll discover that they are suddenly normal again. You'll realise that they condemn abuse of power and identity with "normal people ". But when they get back to power again, they become the insensitive beast of power that they once were.

So what is it with about power that makes people such obtuse, self-centered snobs? It turns out that psychologists have been grappling with this puzzle for years and have a clue. Professor Dacher Kelner of the University of California Berkeley, extensively studied the brains of people in power and found out that people under the influence of power are neurologically similar to people who suffer traumatic brain injury. Also, American historian Henry Adams wisecrack about how power is a sort of tumor that ends up killing the victims sympathies.

People in power would never know that power-induce is sickness until the power they so much control is gone. Keltner(neurologist) said in one of his writings that " once we have power, we lose some of the capacities we needed to gain it in the first place ".

Take a typical Ghanaian politician for example. Before he is elected or appointed in to a political office of power, he is the voice of the ordinary Ghanaian. He relates very well with the electorates but once he is given power, he thinks that those who gave him the power are ignorant of his new office and for that matter speaks differently and the worse once even believe that the power "givers " are envious of his position and therefore shouldn't come near him again.

Nothing but powe-induced brain damage which triggers narcissism and loss of empathy can best explain most Ghanaian politicians dramatic display to power anytime they get power. This fact psychological researchers say is worsened by the fact that subordinates and favour seekers tend to flatter people in power, mimic their ways in order to ingratiate themselves with them and shield them from realities that might cause them psychic discomfort. I have also found out that excessive praise from subordinates, sycophantic drooling from people seeking favours control over vast resources they once didn't have and all the performances of power conspire to cause functional changes to the brains of people in power. But ironically, most praise singers and new found subordinates didn't even contribute to the rise to power.

But it's not all gloom and doom. Powerful people can extricate themselves from the psychological snares of power if they so desire. One of the effective psychological strategies for people in power to reconnect with reality and reverse the brain damage of power is to periodically remember moments of powerlessness in their lives such as poverty, restrictions and maybe joblessness.

Also, everyone in power should have what I call a "toe holder", that is someone who doesn't fear you and who can tell you uncomfortable truth without fear of consequences.

Winston Churchill's "toe holder" was his wife, who once wrote a letter to him that read in part "I must confess that I have notified a deterioration in your manner, and you aren't kind as you used to be".

Dear people in power, get your toe holders to help you out with the psychological trauma that has consumed your minds by the sweetness of power before you watch it go.

Dear, readers, please be the toe holders of people in power by sharing this piece with them.

By Abdul Hafiz Survival.
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