Leverage

I am fascinated by POWER and how it creates Leverage. Power comes in many forms and sometimes we don't recognize its presence or reach.
If you watch ESPN's "Main Event" Texas poker tournament on TV you can see leverage at work. The person with the most chips at the table can utilize their leverage to bluff and knock players off the table or to fold an often times better hand. I can't think of a better analogy to business. Size matters, and you might not have the best hand, but it doesn't matter.
I have had a couple of bosses who use their leverage often both externally in the market and internally with their management teams. When used properly it has tremendous outcomes. When used for the wrong reasons it can leave a trail of bodies in the roadway.
Yes I have been the recipient of poorly used power, as most executives will experience during their career, it is not pleasant...however we all have to suck it up and deal with it.

For many including myself, there is a wanting to get back at the individual. My advise is don't. It never ends the way you hope. You feel better for the moment, but like most of the poker players at the table going all in usually ends in defeat...
MY advise: when the boss has leverage keep a cool head, minimize your bets until you have a true winning hand and then coerce them into playing a big hand that hopefully you are able to win...

It's a cool head that leads to overcoming leverage.