When the Seat Changes a Person

"You'd be surprised what people you trust would do when someone puts them in a position where they think they don't have a choice." —Harvey Specter

In the past, it was only money that I believed usually changes people, but as I grew older and wiser and saw how the world operates, I have seen how people who have been put in the position of power change so fast. I have seen calm, innocent, easygoing people switch as soon as they were put in the position of authority.

I could remember when I was serving, there was this guy in one of the CDS that was picked by the LGI to become the CLO. He started service before me, though, but those who knew him personally said he was a calm guy, but as soon as he started that post officially, he started misbehaving and was using his power anyhow. He was no longer the calm guy but the corrupt CLO that used his position only for his personal gain without considering others. Even though I was holding a key position as the president of my CDS, I gave him distance and did not allow him to come closer to me. Everything I was doing, I was reporting it directly to the LGI without having to go through him because I know what he can do behind the scenes. It hurts to see how power could change people that we thought were good people.

And that usually makes me think very deeply about whether people like that have been pretending or the position they occupy gave them that attitude. Maybe the posting removed the mask of fear they have been wearing and has kept them silent. Maybe the challenges they are faced with and the people they surround themselves with are probably giving them a strong backing. I have watched movies, I have heard stories, and I have been fortunate to be around some top people, and I have noticed that the people they surround themselves with at times can shape them positively or negatively.

Like I said earlier, I have been fortunate to hold some little key position, and I saw how I handled it so well that even the administration after me asked how I did it. But personally, I just believe that if I cannot handle a small position well, how will people recommend me and support me for a better one? And that is why I will say that power does not change everyone; it only amplifies who we truly are.

Thank you for reading.

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