In his classic international bestseller 'The 48 Laws of Power' Robert Green discusses how certain basic skills are required in leadership, and the mastery of these basic skills is an integral part of the development of power. He argues the most important of these skills, in fact power's crucial foundation, is the ability to master your emotions. And indeed his research has shown that an emotional response to a situation is the single greatest barrier to power, a mistake that will cost leaders a lot more than any temporary satisfaction they may gain by expressing their feelings. Also emotions cloud reason, and he argues if you cannot see the situation clearly, you cannot prepare for and respond to it with any degree of control. I would suggest there are two issues here for leaders to consider. The first is the need to understand the difference between 'Passion' as it applies in a visionary sense, and 'emotion'. Most organizations, boards of directors and key stakeholders nowadays often talk about leaders having a passion for what they are doing. Passion can however easily cross the line and become emotion - and cloud our sense of direction. The second issue which can cause leaders some difficulties where emotion is concerned is the inherent human desire to be liked by people. I would contend it is dangerous for leaders to seek to be liked as individuals by the people and teams that they lead. Although this is a complex subject and probably worthy of a blog post in its own right (!) in its simplest terms it is the output and achievements of the leader that needs to be liked, not necessarily the leaders personality. If you, as a leader, are struggling with this issue you may wish to look at your emotional response to some of the difficult and challenging decisions you have to make. It may help you understand the difference.

1. The power of mastering your
emotions
 Mark Hollingsworth

2. The 48 Laws of Power
 In his classic
international best
seller Robert Green
discusses how
certain basic skills
are required in
leadership.
 Mastery of these are
an integral part of
the development of
power.

3. Master your emotions
He argues the most
important of these
skills is power’s
crucial foundation
The ability to
master your
emotions.

4. Emotional response
An emotional
response to a situation
Single greatest barrier
to power
A costly mistake

5. The cycle
Emotions
cloud
reason
You cannot
see
situation
clearly
You cannot
prepare for
it
You cannot
respond to
it

6. Two issues for leaders
First:
Need to understand the difference
between:
 Passion (as it applies to a visionary sense)
 Emotion

7. Passion and emotion
 Most organisations, Boards, and key
stakeholders often talk about leaders
having a passion for what they do.
 However
 Passion can easily cross the line and
become emotion – and cloud the
leader’s sense of direction

8. Two issues for leaders
Second:
‘The inherent human desire to be liked by
people.’

9. Dangerous for leaders
to seek to be liked
It is the output and
achievements that need
to be liked
Not necessarily the
leader’s personality

10. Struggling with this?
 You may wish to look at your emotional
response to some of the difficult and
challenging decisions you have to make.
 It may help you understand the
difference.

11. The basics of leadership
I believe the basic skills
needed to be effective in
leadership never change
and can be learnt.
This research project has
proved to me constant
commitment to learning and
developing ‘the basics’ are
the foundation to successful
leadership

12. How To Lead With Ease
 Contact me on mjhaea@gmail.com
 Visit my leadership website for tips and
advice on the basic skills of leadership
at:
 http://essentialleadershipmjh.blogspot.co.uk
 Visit my online leadership course at:
 https://www.udemy.com/how-to-lead-with-
ease/