Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer Summary
Overview of Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't
Jeffrey Pfeffer's "Power" shatters workplace myths: success isn't about talent but political savvy. Praised by Jim Collins as "indispensable" and ranked among Thinkers50's top management guides, it reveals why nice guys finish last. Ready to play the real game?
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Key takeaways
The Illusion That Merit Always Wins
What if everything you believed about career success was wrong? We're taught that hard work, talent, and integrity pave the road to the top. Yet award-winning school superintendent Rudy Crew was forced out months after being named National Superintendent of the Year. Ken Kizer transformed the Veterans Health Administration into what experts called "the best medical care in the U.S."-then lost his job to political opposition. Even Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple, was once fired from his own company. The uncomfortable truth? Performance alone doesn't guarantee advancement, and poor performance doesn't necessarily doom you. Research reveals that job evaluations are heavily influenced by supervisors' prior opinions rather than actual results. What truly determines who rises isn't just what you accomplish-it's whether the right people know about it, remember you, and feel good around you. The "mere exposure effect" shows that familiarity breeds preference. Your brilliance matters far less than your visibility, and the sooner you accept this reality, the faster you'll stop waiting for recognition that may never arrive.
The Seven Qualities That Command Attention
Positioning Yourself Where Power Lives
Standing Out Without Apology
Networks That Multiply Your Reach
Speaking and Acting Like You've Already Arrived
The Price of Power and Why It's Worth Paying
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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