Power Up!

You know that old saying that people don't change as they age...they just become "more" themselves?
Seems legit.

On the other hand, I always thought that power actually changed people, so the formerly-fun-n-friendly coworker who morphed into a pitiless whip-cracker had undergone an actual personality change.

"And then, he turned into someone else."

But just recently, I came across the mash-up idea that power doesn't actually change people, but, like age, it just brings out what was already there.

That's a little unnerving, on a couple fronts.
First of all, it might not be possible to get the true measure of a person without exposing them to the sweet, siren-song of power.  But, I'm not sure I WANT to know that, deep down, someone I consider a friend finds me...useful.  Or...not useful. 

Second, turning the mirror inward is unnerving too.  If I had a podium, or a pedestal, or both, would I forget the "little people?"  I hope not...but maybe the seed of scorn IS lurking somewhere inside.

I wonder if just being aware of the possibility of turning into a I-drink-my-own-kool-aid-and-boy-is-it-delicious, I-am-the-Great-and-Powerful-Oz...weenie is enough to keep it from happening. 

On the bright side, with no podium or pedestal on the horizon, I won't have to do any soul-searching any time soon. 

And, there are some other examples too, of how power didn't corrupt:  The late Princess of Wales (love her), evangelist Billy Graham, and, further back in the archive, Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia ("Good King Wenceslaus").  So, good people CAN retain their goodness. 

It's pretty well established  by neurologists (and elite athletes) that almost any behavior which initially requires thinking can become "muscle memory".  Like, saying "thank you," or checking over your shoulder before changing lanes.  If kindness, or at least kind behavior, becomes muscle memory, I'm guessing that neither a pedestal nor advancing age would change that.

Something to work on.  That age thing is coming on fast.