Professor Robert Sutton, from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, who has written and teaches extensively on the topic, says that when people are given power they frequently become “more oblivious to what others think, more likely to pursue the satisfaction of their own appetites, poorer judges of other people's reactions, more likely to hold stereotypes, overly optimistic and more likely to take risks.” This happens, according to his research, at an alarmingly rapid speed.

For leaders, it is important to run a self-diagnostic check once in a while, to make sure that power hasn’t poisoned you.

The three major signs that a leader is experiencing power poisoning are:

1) Focusing primarily on your own needs/wants.
2) A loss of focus on the needs/wants of others.
3) Behaving as if rules and social norms do not apply to you.

The good news is, the effects of power poisoning can be reversed. It takes some humility, and intentionality but it is possible. Leaders who desire to use their power and authority in a healthy way work to:

1) Narrow the Power Gap
2) Listen More
3) Talk Less

Narrowing the power gap between leader and followers, opens lines of communication, builds trust and strengthens a sense of community. Listening leaders ensure that the needs and wants of those in the organization can be communicated without fear. This increases understanding and the feeling that people are cared for. When a leader talks less, especially in order to listen more, the focus shifts from being all about them, allowing everyone to focus on goals, achievements, and the purpose of the group.

If you have asked yourself the hard questions, and can see you that have been suffering, or making others suffer from, power poisoning, the effort to change can reap positive leadership benefits.