THE POWER OF GIVING AWAY POWER

As a former United States Ambassador, Matthew Barzun evidently wears his patriotism and political colors on his sleeve. That much is apparent in his book The Power of Giving Away Power: How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go.

In essence, the book is Barzun’s take on the leadership principle that effective leaders empower others. Using his terminology, effective leaders shift from a “pyramid” or “hierarchical” mindset to one that is more participative; that is to say, a “constellation” where power is distributed. Inasmuch as he makes a cogent case of it throughout The Power of Giving Away Power, the aforementioned choice of metaphor is, for lack of a better term, a little bit “clunky,” more so given its roots in American imagery to which not everyone can relate.

Yet beyond the metaphor, the animating spirit of The Power of Giving Away Power lies in the anecdotes Barzun shares from his time on the campaign trail for then-Senator Obama and later as the American Ambassador first to Sweden and then to the United Kingdom. The autobiographical notes provide both the context and perspective to understand the leadership principles that Barzun wishes to impart.

It’s tempting to conclude that The Power of Giving Away Power is more interesting as Barzun’s memoirs than it is his thoughts on effective leadership likely because, as noted, the book’s central point is old hat. But it’s by looking at familiar things in slightly different ways that allows us to appreciate them more—even longstanding concepts like leadership and empowerment.