The Power of Giving Away Power

1. The Power of Giving Away Power: From Pyramid to Constellation

"To prevail against the threat of the 'iron curtain,' he prescribed a 'special relationship' between America and Britain, and, more important, special relationships between Americans and British. And between other democracies around the world too."

Pyramid vs. Constellation: The book introduces two contrasting mindsets in leadership and organization. The Pyramid mindset represents traditional hierarchical structures, focusing on control and centralized power. In contrast, the Constellation mindset embraces interdependence, shared power, and collaborative growth.

Key characteristics:

• Pyramid: Top-down authority, rigid structure, power hoarding
• Constellation: Distributed leadership, adaptability, power-sharing

The author argues that while the Pyramid model can be effective in emergencies or single-minded missions, the Constellation approach is better suited for long-term success, innovation, and addressing complex challenges in our interconnected world.

2. Historical Roots: The Great Seal and America's Interdependence

"Thomson had found an intellectual soul mate in a star professor, William James. At this moment James was simultaneously co-developing the first truly American-born philosophy (pragmatism) and turning mental science into a proper discipline by literally writing the textbook (The Principles of Psychology)."

America's founding principles: The book delves into the creation of the Great Seal of the United States as a metaphor for the nation's founding principles. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress, played a crucial role in synthesizing various ideas into a symbol of interdependence.

The Great Seal's design elements:

• E Pluribus Unum: "Out of many, one"
• Constellation of stars: Representing states as distinct yet interconnected
• Eagle: Symbolizing strength and unity

This historical example illustrates how the founders grappled with balancing individual freedom and collective strength, ultimately embracing a form of interdependence that became central to American identity and governance.

3. Constellation Makers: Wikipedia, Visa, and Beyond

"Jimmy Wales and Dee Hock used uncertainty to make rainforests, so to speak, and that's what all Constellation leaders do. They create the ecosystem for the use and reuse of energy at any scale."

Real-world applications: The book presents case studies of organizations that have successfully implemented the Constellation mindset, focusing on Wikipedia and Visa.

Wikipedia:

• Open collaboration model
• Volunteer-driven content creation and editing
• Trust in collective knowledge and self-regulation

Visa:

• Decentralized network of banks and merchants
• Shared ownership and decision-making
• Balancing competition and cooperation

These examples demonstrate how embracing uncertainty, distributing power, and fostering interdependence can lead to unprecedented growth and innovation in various fields.

4. Mary Parker Follett: The Forgotten Prophet of Interdependence

"Cooperation is going to prove so much more difficult than competition," Follett said to a group of top CEOs during one of her famous keynote speeches, "that there is not the slightest danger of any one getting soft."

Follett's key insights:

• Integration over compromise or domination
• Power-with instead of power-over
• The importance of circular response in group dynamics

Mary Parker Follett, a management theorist and social worker, developed groundbreaking ideas about organizational behavior and leadership in the early 20th century. Her work emphasized the importance of integration – creating new solutions that satisfy all parties rather than compromising or allowing one side to dominate.

Follett's concept of "power-with" aligns closely with the Constellation mindset, advocating for collaborative problem-solving and shared decision-making. Her ideas, though largely forgotten for decades, have profound relevance for modern leadership and organizational theory.

5. The Obama Campaign: A Constellation in Action

"The Obama For America (OFA) campaign started with at most ten thousand names, cobbled together in Excel spreadsheets. Clinton had a twenty-five-to-one advantage."

Campaign strategy: The 2008 Obama presidential campaign serves as a prime example of the Constellation mindset in action. Key elements included:

• Grassroots organizing and volunteer empowerment
• Emphasis on small-dollar donations and in-person events
• "Snowflake model" of distributed leadership

The campaign's success stemmed from its ability to harness the energy and creativity of supporters, giving away power to create more. This approach allowed for rapid growth and adaptability, outperforming traditional campaign structures.

The author contrasts this with the 2012 re-election campaign, which reverted to more traditional methods, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a Constellation mindset in established power structures.

6. Jane Jacobs and the Fractal Nature of Growth

"Jacobs kept writing books and kept showing up as an activist to prevent bulldozers from destroying life and paving the way for death. Toward the end of her life she was asked if she thought her greatest contribution was standing up to the bulldozers. 'No,' she said. Not at all."

Organic growth principles: Jane Jacobs, an urban planning critic and theorist, applied the concept of fractals to human affairs, particularly in city development and economics.

Key ideas:

• Cities as complex, self-organizing systems
• Importance of diversity and interconnectedness
• Growth through small, repetitive evolutions

Jacobs argued against top-down urban planning, favoring organic development that allows for branching and connecting. Her work emphasizes the power of local knowledge and the danger of oversimplification in complex systems.

The book draws parallels between Jacobs' ideas and the Constellation mindset, highlighting how both embrace complexity and bottom-up growth processes.

7. Diplomacy and the Special Relationship: Lessons from the Field

"There is daylight between us—between us in any way you define 'us'—and denying the gulf doesn't help bridge it. And what a ludicrous standard of agreement to set. Why are we so afraid of daylight?"

Diplomatic insights: The author shares personal experiences as U.S. Ambassador to the UK, applying the Constellation mindset to international relations.

Key initiatives:

• School visits to engage with British youth
• Reframing the "Special Relationship" concept
• Emphasis on listening and mutual understanding

The book argues for a more nuanced approach to diplomacy, one that acknowledges differences while seeking common ground. It challenges the traditional diplomatic stance of presenting a united front, suggesting that acknowledging "daylight" between allies can lead to more authentic and productive relationships.

8. The Dangers of the Pyramid Mindset in Modern Leadership

"Look, if you have the kind of job where you can predict with pretty good precision what your workweek and workflow will look like for the week ahead . . . and the week after that . . . well, then your job is . . . Gone. Or will be gone soon."

Outdated leadership models: The book critiques common leadership practices and symbols that reinforce the Pyramid mindset, including:

• Corporate hierarchies and org charts
• Emphasis on individual achievement over collaboration
• Resistance to change and uncertainty

The author argues that these traditional approaches are increasingly ill-suited to modern challenges, citing examples from business and politics where Pyramid thinking leads to ineffective solutions and missed opportunities.

9. Embracing Uncertainty: A New Paradigm for Success

"If you can imagine a job in which uncertainty can be eliminated, that's a job that will probably be eliminated. The people who will be hired? Those who can fruitfully embrace uncertainty, following and connecting the branches wherever they might lead."

Adapting to change: The book emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and adaptability in modern leadership and career development.

Key skills for the future:

• Asking difficult questions
• Collaborating with diverse groups
• Navigating ambiguity and complexity

The author argues that the ability to thrive in uncertain environments is becoming increasingly valuable across industries. This shift requires a fundamental change in how we approach problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational structure.

10. Rethinking Commencement Advice: Interdependence over Independence

"They want unity without uniformity. To put it simply: they want to stand out and fit in. The Constellation is what younger America is asking for every day, but that's not where we're pointing them."

Reframing success: The book challenges traditional advice given to graduates, proposing a new set of guidelines that emphasize interdependence:

Traditional advice vs. Constellation mindset:

• Change the world → Change your mindset
• Listen to your inner voice → Share your inner voice
• Work hard → Work through hard things together
• Don't give up → Give up power (to make more)
• Embrace failure → Embrace uncertainty

This reframing aims to better prepare young people for a world that increasingly values collaboration, adaptability, and shared success. The author argues that by embracing the Constellation mindset, individuals can find greater fulfillment and make more significant contributions to society.

Last updated: October 5, 2024