Power Play: To test a man’s character, give him power

If you want to test a man’s character, give him power. Abe Lincoln said this. And this is a guy who freed the slaves, so you know he must be right.

To cut through all the red tape, Power Players give would-be Power Players a whole lot of power to see what they do with it. It’s the surest way of assessing character.

If you want to let somebody into your world, your life and your business, throw them into the power deep-end and see how they react. If they wear it lightly and justly, you know you’ve got yourself a keeper. If they go all Stalin on you, you can throw them back into the ocean.

Watching first-timers with lots of power is the ultimate study in character. Power Players also keep their own power in check by making sure that the decisions they make are based on what’s right rather than what’s expedient –or worse, as an assertion of strength or position.

Giving over power is, and will always remain the ultimate test.