Ben Waber reviewed Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer
A Compelling Collection of Case Studies with a Sprinkling of Theory
3 stars
If case studies do a lot for you, this book will be a gold mine. Jeff has an impressive collection here (including one featuring my cousin Jeff Sonnenfeld!), and they go far to illustrate many of the points he makes around how to attain organizational power. I wish there were more critical examination of the limitations of case studies and a review of the gaps in the academic literature, and I also felt that there wasn't nearly enough time spent grappling with the issues that arise when individuals attain too much power. Still, this is an extremely useful book as an entry point to the concept of organizational power and influence
If case studies do a lot for you, this book will be a gold mine. Jeff has an impressive collection here (including one featuring my cousin Jeff Sonnenfeld!), and they go far to illustrate many of the points he makes around how to attain organizational power. I wish there were more critical examination of the limitations of case studies and a review of the gaps in the academic literature, and I also felt that there wasn't nearly enough time spent grappling with the issues that arise when individuals attain too much power. Still, this is an extremely useful book as an entry point to the concept of organizational power and influence
