Must I wait until I see people abusing power and not really be surprised? The clearest example of abuse of power I have ever seen is when someone uses their position, age, money, or authority to intimidate others, making them feel less of themselves or making them feel they don't have the right to speak up. Most times we need to think that abusing power only happens among politicians and government offices. It can also happen in workplaces, families, schools, and so on.
This prompt made me remember my days in secondary school just because the school elected you as senior prefect, and we treat people badly because of the small authority that was given to you. Instead of leading with love, he was abusing the power, giving student punishment, and we were threatened by his presence. Even when he is wrong, no student will talk; we all will be silent because we are afraid of what the outcome will be. This is just an example of how people can misuse power if they are privileged to be in control.
Must times am pain when someone who is in authority abuses their power instead of protecting or supporting people under them, correct with love, but no, they use their position to create fear and make people under them feel less of themselves, but they can’t voice out because nobody will listen to them.
For me the biggest problem when it comes to abusing power is the silence that surrounds it. Must the affected ones face injustice? Will others remain silent because the people involved are influential, well connected, and wealthy? Well, in the world we find ourselves. The moment you are wealthy, influential, and well connected, you can do whatever you want. Nobody questions you. Nobody challenges you. The funny part is you can do anything they want, and there are no consequences.
Here comes the big question: how can we work together to hold people accountable?
The first thing we should do is to speak up against injustice. "We don't have to be victims to speak up for those treated unfairly." I constantly tell my leadership students that leadership is about service, not superiority; just because you hold power doesn’t mean that you’re any more valuable than anyone else.
There should be rules and fair complaint procedures. Rules should be equal for everyone; nobody should be above the rule just because they hold a higher position. Every one of them should be answerable for their actions.
I always tell people that leadership is all about service and not superiority. Just because you are opportune to have power does not make you more valuable than them. No matter your position, you should treat people with respect, fairness, and dignity. It is high time we understood that power comes with responsibility.
All images are generated with ChatGPT.
This is my entry for the weekly prompt #hivelearners on the topic of the weekly prompt #hivelearners topic power.
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