<p>Being in power actually makes people happier and more contented at the workplace and in interpersonal relationships, even though stereotypes would suggest otherwise, says an Israeli study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Drawing on personality and power research, Yona Kifer of Tel Aviv University and colleagues hypothesised that holding a position of authority might enhance subjective well-being through an increased feeling of authenticity.<br /><br />They predicted that because the powerful are able to “navigate their lives in congruence with their internal desires and inclinations,” they feel as if they are acting more authentically - more “themselves” - and thus are more content, the journal Psychological Science reports.<br /><br />In their first experiment, the researchers surveyed over 350 participants to determine if internal feelings of power are tied to subjective well-being in different contexts: at work, with friends, or in romantic relationships. <br /><br />The results indicated that people who feel powerful in any context tend to be more content, according to a Tel Aviv statement. The most powerful people surveyed felt 16 percent more satisfied with their lives than the least powerful people. This effect was most pronounced at the workplace: Powerful employees were 26 percent more satisfied with their jobs than their powerless colleagues.<br /><br />The power-based discrepancy in happiness was smaller for friendships and romantic relationships. The researchers posit that this may be because friendships are associated with a sense of community rather than hierarchy.<br /><br />In the second and third experiments, Kifer and colleagues examined the causal relationship between power, feelings of authenticity, and general well-being, by manipulating each of the factors independently.<br /><br />The results revealed that being in a position of power causes people to feel more authentic and “true to themselves” - that is, it allows their actions to more closely reflect their beliefs and desires. Feelings of authenticity, in turn, enhance subjective feelings of well-being and happiness.<br />“By leading people to be true to their desires and inclinations - to be authentic - power leads individuals to experience greater happiness,” the researchers conclude.<br /></p>
<p>Being in power actually makes people happier and more contented at the workplace and in interpersonal relationships, even though stereotypes would suggest otherwise, says an Israeli study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Drawing on personality and power research, Yona Kifer of Tel Aviv University and colleagues hypothesised that holding a position of authority might enhance subjective well-being through an increased feeling of authenticity.<br /><br />They predicted that because the powerful are able to “navigate their lives in congruence with their internal desires and inclinations,” they feel as if they are acting more authentically - more “themselves” - and thus are more content, the journal Psychological Science reports.<br /><br />In their first experiment, the researchers surveyed over 350 participants to determine if internal feelings of power are tied to subjective well-being in different contexts: at work, with friends, or in romantic relationships. <br /><br />The results indicated that people who feel powerful in any context tend to be more content, according to a Tel Aviv statement. The most powerful people surveyed felt 16 percent more satisfied with their lives than the least powerful people. This effect was most pronounced at the workplace: Powerful employees were 26 percent more satisfied with their jobs than their powerless colleagues.<br /><br />The power-based discrepancy in happiness was smaller for friendships and romantic relationships. The researchers posit that this may be because friendships are associated with a sense of community rather than hierarchy.<br /><br />In the second and third experiments, Kifer and colleagues examined the causal relationship between power, feelings of authenticity, and general well-being, by manipulating each of the factors independently.<br /><br />The results revealed that being in a position of power causes people to feel more authentic and “true to themselves” - that is, it allows their actions to more closely reflect their beliefs and desires. Feelings of authenticity, in turn, enhance subjective feelings of well-being and happiness.<br />“By leading people to be true to their desires and inclinations - to be authentic - power leads individuals to experience greater happiness,” the researchers conclude.<br /></p>