The POWER PRINCIPLE: INFLUENCE WITH HONOR (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Reflect on your own experience..." (more)
Key Phrases: coercive leader, utility power, power principle, United States, Helen Keller, Miss Hess (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An associate of the Covey Leadership Center, Lee here follows in the tradition of Stephen R. Covey (The Seven Habits of Highly Successfully People, S. & S., 1989) with an expose of power. She demonstrates the viability of the three variants of power: coercive (fear), utility (let's make a deal), and principle-centered (virtue/honor). With respect to the first two variants, Machiavelli remains timeless; modern versions include Robert Ringer (Winning Through Intimidation, 1984) and Simon & Schuster's editor-in-chief, Michael Korda (Power; How To Get It; How To Use It, LJ 3/15/76). Regarding the third variant, Lee differs with other experts by taking an organic approach; she argues that power is rooted in honor and is based on transformation rather than transaction. A series of exercises demands reader participation and self-assessment. Indeed, Lee sets an example, listing how some of her personal failures became growth opportunities. Her work will be helpful to anyone in a leadership role such as teacher, parent, or coach.?Steven Silkunas, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, Philadelphia
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This self-help book reflects Lee's views on various types of power and how to develop principle-centered power in your life, which he defines as power that inspires loyalty and devotion, transcending time and place. Such power is based on trust and respect and survives even after one dies. Lee describes three types of power: coercive, which relies on the premise of control and uses fear as its instrument; utility, which is based on fairness, the exchange of what you can do for me with what I can do for you; and principle-centered, which is based on what you can do with others. The author tells us that his purpose in writing this book is to encourage us in our work with people, and he recommends that we choose principle-centered power as the primary way to influence others in our key relationships. Such power requires us to grow, to challenge our assumptions, and often to change our whole orientation in life. Mary Whaley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1st Fireside Ed edition (June 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684846160
• ISBN-13: 978-0684846163
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,559 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift to those who want to help others!, July 22, 2000

By A Customer

The power principle is an outstanding book for those who want to influence others in a positive way. The three forms of power: Coercive, Utility; and Principle-Centered seem to be ways in which people tend to interact with each other. I loved the story about Oliver who showed how powerlessness can still be powerful; it was a moving moment. Emily Carr mentions "I don't think you can explain growth. it is silent, it is subtle. You don't keep digging up a plant to see how it is growing " Page 124. There are many examples of how people learn through adversity; the drama teacher who believed in that deaf boy so much that he managed to complete the play with success was a pleasant experience to read about. The book has a positive integrity which comes across with so much compassion being shown in many areas which one can relate to; moreover there are some poems which bring a new light on some areas. It is great book with plenty of stories and examples which are moving; furthermore I enjoyed reading the glorious beauty of love in the chapters. The mother who told her son not show his true feelings ever; and the son believed her hardly did which affected him in his life; however before she died she told him that she was wrong; and that he should show his feelings seemed to make me wonder about advice. If you want to influence with honor this book will give insights to help a person improve or enlighten. " We are here but a short time. Whatever our role - leader, parent, teacher, salesperson, friend, family member, CEO - we are the singers who become the choir. Are you singing? Are you teaching the song to others? You have one life to live. You live your life as you believe in living it and then it is gone and you are gone. Yet your legacy may live on in others. Your teaching and leading keeps the song alive. May the song stay on your lips long after you put this book down. " Blaine Lee Page 335.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars weLEAD Book Review by the Editor of leadingtoday.org, February 12, 2002

By	Greg L. Thomas (Litchfield, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Lee is an associate of Stephen R. Covey and vice president of Franklin Covey Company. If you appreciate Dr. Covey's books including Principle-Centered Leadership or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you will want this book! Blaine Lee discusses what he terms the power principle, which has the potential to significantly impact all of our relationships in and out of the workplace.

In a nutshell this power principle is defined as learning to influence with honor. Dr. Lee begins the book by discussing the relationship between power and influence. Most societies and cultures use two fundamental power strategies to influence others and achieve efficiency. The first power strategy is one of forced coercion. People do things because they are afraid not to. The person in authority has the "ability to intimidate or bully people, to do something unpleasant or uncomfortable to other people." The second option is that of a fair exchange approach. People do what they are told because of what the person in authority can do for them. They offer their services because "I will pay you if you'll do what I want. I have something to exchange for your time and effort...I've got something you want, you've got something I want. Let's make a deal." Blaine explains how these two approaches may be efficient but long-term they are not effective or productive.

The Power Principle offers a third approach to power strategy. It is predicated on a number of core principles clearly discussed by Dr. Lee. This is a different kind of power since it "suggests that the person you believe is powerful is someone others believe in, someone they honor, someone they respect." When others honor you, you have the ability to have sustained, long-term influence with them. The second 2/3rds of the book discusses why the power principle makes a difference, what they are, and how to use this strategy with your family, customers and coworkers. The final chapters deal with making a commitment to change and the power principle a lifelong quest.

This is an outstanding work and makes an excellent companion to Dr. Covey's highly respected principle-centered philosophy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good thesis but development could have been better, November 27, 2005

By	Matthew Gunia (Justice, Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Blaine Lee is a vice-president of Franklin Covey--a consulting and empowerment company best known for "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." This book addresses those who want to increase their "power"/effectiveness as it encourages them to develop "principle-centered leadership."

Lee describes the various types of power relationships from powerlessness to agression to negotiation to (finally) principle-centered leadership. His basic premise is the the first three types of power are only useful in the short-term (if they're useful at all) but principle-centered leadership is an effective long-term type of power because people are naturally drawn to people who live a purposeful life toward a goal.

Lee's writing style is light as he makes liberal use of anecdotes, poems, and interesting quotations. These are used in varying degrees of effectiveness. In fact, I found myself more annoyed than inspired by his writing style. Furthermore, he makes the basic assumption that all people are good and just need a little encouragement to be wonderfully introspective yet warm and friendly. This seems to me to be a huge assumption and while Lee does address interpersonal difficulties associated with principle-centered leadership (chapter 13), this book would have been more useful if he spent more time developing these thoughts and less time showing how his leadership style manifests itself in various vocations.

This is not to say that Lee's theory is unworkable or fanciful. In fact, I agree with Lee's basic argument that effectiveness and leadership stem from self-definition (knowing who you are and where you're going). However, I believe that this thesis could have been developed in a more useful way.

If you are thinking about reading this book, I would recommend the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey first as "The Power Principle" uses it as its base.