The Power of Control: A Personal Reflection on Performance and Engagement

Looking back across the decades of my professional journey, if I were to isolate the single most effective factor that enhanced my performance—it would be this: having a sense of control over my work. Not titles. Not perks. Not even compensation.

This isn’t just a personal observation, it’s backed by research in psychology and organizational behavior. In the words of Daniel Pink, bestselling author of 'Drive,'

"Autonomy—the desire to direct our own lives—is one of the three essential elements of true motivation, along with mastery and purpose."

When I worked in organizations that empowered me with the authority to solve problems, take decisions, and design my own path to results, I felt deeply connected to my work. I wasn’t just working in the system, I was working on it. I owned outcomes. I took pride in every success, and responsibility for every setback. It was in these roles that I delivered my best performance.

In stark contrast, I’ve also experienced the other end of the spectrum: years in an organization where, despite being accountable for results, I had no real control over the process. Every step needed approval. Every idea faced resistance. Over time, enthusiasm gave way to resignation. As Stephen Covey said in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

“Accountability without control is not empowerment—it’s abuse.”

It taught me a critical leadership lesson: when you remove control from capable hands, you don’t just stifle creativity but dilute commitment. People disengage not because they lack competence, but because they lack ownership.

This aligns with what Edward Deci, a pioneer of Self-Determination Theory, wrote:

“When people are controlled, they tend to lose initiative and become alienated; when autonomous, they experience ownership and responsibility.”

In today’s fast-changing business world, building a culture of self-leadership is not optional—it’s essential. Leadership must go beyond traditional command-and-control models and adopt what I call a "trust-and-empower" framework.

Give people the tools. Give them clarity. Then give them control.

“Control is not about micromanaging people. It’s about giving them the freedom to take charge and the confidence that you trust their judgment.” – Anonymous

When leaders delegate authority with intention, magic happens. Engagement soars. Innovation flourishes. Teams become resilient, not just compliant.

Give them the Power of Control and watch the wonders unfold. I’ve lived it, and I can tell you this much: when people feel truly in control of their work, they don’t just perform better—they transform the workplace.

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Corporate Boss: A Nightmare?

Having spent 15 years in job with Corporate India, before becoming an entrepreneur, and few years with an extremely insecure and difficult boss to deal with, let me tell you that it demands a lot of courage and maturity to tolerate a continuous bombardment of both decent and indecent abuses and subtle insults directed from the opposite side.

This article is based on my own experiences, while working with one of the largest Indian corporations during early nineties. 

My boss was a science graduate and was insecured about a qualified engineer directly reporting to him. And also that of many others, who have been sharing with me their own sufferings.

Every evening I would return home soaked with insults and abuse and vowed to resign the next day. I couldn't. Because, I had to take care of my family. Self-respect surrendered to the reality of life. That was the time when I had decided to be an entrepreneur and it took 9 long years to materialise.

Dealing with an insecured and difficult boss can be a challenging and draining experience. I know it, because I had lived that experience and frankly speaking when I remember those years now, I just tell myself: What the 'F' was that?

Many employees find themselves in a situation where they have to navigate the delicate balance of maintaining a professional relationship, while also protecting their own well-being. 

It is important to approach the situation with a strategic mindset and utilize a variety of tactics to effectively handle a difficult boss.

One of the key aspects of managing a difficult boss is to maintain open and clear communication. 

It is crucial to address any issues or concerns directly with your boss in a respectful and professional manner. 

By expressing your thoughts and feelings in a constructive way, you can potentially resolve misunderstandings and prevent further conflicts from arising. 

Additionally, it is important to actively listen to your boss’s perspective and try to understand their point of view. This can help foster a sense of empathy and mutual respect in the relationship.

Another important aspect of handling a difficult boss is to set boundaries and manage expectations. 

It is essential to establish clear boundaries in terms of work responsibilities, communication protocols, and personal space. 

By clearly defining your role and expectations, you can avoid potential misunderstandings and minimize conflicts. 

Also, it is important to manage expectations by setting realistic goals and deadlines. This can help alleviate stress and pressure in the workplace, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Furthermore, it is important to practice self-care and prioritize your well-being when dealing with a difficult boss. 

It is crucial to take care of your physical and mental health by getting enough rest, exercise, and relaxation. By practicing self-care, you can build resilience and cope with the challenges posed by a difficult boss. 

In addition, it is important to seek support from friends, family, or colleagues who can offer guidance and advice. Having a supportive network can provide emotional strength and validation during difficult times.

Innovatively, one can also consider using mindfulness techniques to navigate the complex dynamics of a difficult boss. 

Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and cultivating awareness of one’s thoughts and emotions. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop a sense of calmness and clarity, which can help you respond to challenging situations with composure and grace. 

To add further, mindfulness can help cultivate empathy and compassion towards your boss, which can deepen your understanding of their behavior and motivations.

In conclusion, handling a difficult boss requires a strategic approach that integrates open communication, boundary-setting, expectation management, self-care, and mindfulness. 

By utilizing these different aspects, you can effectively navigate the challenges posed by a difficult boss and maintain a sense of professionalism and well-being in the workplace. 

Remember that you are not alone in facing a difficult boss, and it is important to seek support and guidance when needed. 

By employing a variety of tactics and approaches, you can effectively manage the complexities of a difficult boss and thrive in your professional career

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How Abhijit Successfully Handled Dirty Office Politics

During my 15 years of career with Corporate India in different organizations, I could never understand the game of politics in the office. Sometimes the frank opinion I had shared with a colleague about my boss was communicated to him in no time.

Today when I look back, I realize that who I used to trust most were the messengers. This breach of trust meant nothing to them as they were perhaps the members of an alliance in the organization. Their belief system was all about survival and prosperity in the organization, not by hardwork and performance but by crushing their self-respect happily.

The following story is based on the successful attempt by one of my colleagues, in one of the organizations I had worked for few years, with regard to his determination to avoid swimming in the murky water of office politics and focus on performance. Well, he did so well that top management gave him an out-of-turn promotion.

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How Anand Built A Great Career

In the bustling city of Gurgaon, a young man named Anand was determined to make a name for himself in the world of marketing. With a passion for creativity and a drive for success, he set out on a journey to build a great career.

Anand started his career working as an intern at a small marketing firm, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry. 

He soaked up knowledge like a sponge, absorbing everything he could from his mentors and colleagues. Anand quickly realized that in order to excel in his career, he needed to be proactive and take on new challenges.

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The True Power Comes From Within

Not so long ago, in a small village nestled in the lush green valleys of the Himalayas, lived a young boy named Mihir. 

Mihir was a dreamer, always fascinated by the majestic mountains that surrounded his village. 

He would often spend hours gazing at the snow-capped peaks, imagining all the adventures that awaited him beyond the village.

Mihir's family was poor, and opportunities for education and career advancement were scarce in the village. But Mihir was undeterred. 

He was determined to break free from the constraints of his circumstances and make something of himself. 

And so, he turned to his greatest source of inspiration - his grandmother.

Mihir's grandmother, Tulsi, was a wise and kind soul. She had seen her fair share of struggles and hardships in life, but her spirit remained unbroken. 

Tulsi was a firm believer in the power of perseverance and self-belief. She would often tell Mihir that the only limits in life are the ones we place on ourselves.

One day, as Mihir sat with his grandmother overlooking the valley, she told him a story. 

It was a tale of a young prince who was born into a kingdom plagued by darkness and despair. 

The prince grew up surrounded by doubt and fear, but he harbored a deep yearning for something more, something greater.

One day, the prince decided to embark on a quest to find the source of light that would banish the darkness from his kingdom. 

He traveled far and wide, facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. 

But he never wavered in his determination, for he knew that within him lay the power to overcome any adversity.

Finally, after a long and arduous journey, the prince reached the mystical city of light. 

There, he discovered that the source of light was not an external force, but his own indomitable spirit. 

The prince realized that true power comes from within, and that he possessed the strength and courage to bring about change in his kingdom.

As Tulsi finished the story, she looked into Mihir's eyes and said, "My dear child, you are like that young prince. You have the power to illuminate the darkest corners of your life with the light of your own dreams and aspirations. Do not let anyone or anything dim the brightness of your spirit."

Mihir was deeply moved by his grandmother's words. He felt a newfound sense of purpose and determination burning within him. 

He realized that his dreams were not just distant fantasies, but achievable goals that he could strive towards with unwavering faith and resilience.

From that day on, Mihir dedicated himself to his studies and personal growth. 

He devoured books on a wide range of subjects, eager to expand his knowledge and broaden his horizons. 

He took on odd jobs in the village to save money for further education, determined to carve out a path for himself that would lead to a brighter future.

Years passed, and Mihir's hard work and perseverance paid off. He earned a scholarship to study at a prestigious university in Delhi, where he excelled in his academics and extracurricular activities. 

His passion for learning and his unwavering commitment to his goals inspired those around him, and he became a source of inspiration for the younger generations in his village.

Today, Mihir is a successful entrepreneur, running his own business that supports sustainable development projects in rural communities. 

He often returns to his village, where he shares his story with the children and encourages them to dream big and never give up on their aspirations.

And as he stands on the mountain-top, overlooking the valley that was once his home, Mihir knows that the true source of inspiration and motivation lies within each of us - waiting to be ignited by the fire of our dreams and nurtured by the unwavering belief in our own potential.

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Are You A Leader?

Having interacted with and interviewed more than 10,000 plus senior and mid level professionals in last 25 years of career in Executive Search, dissecting their profiles from various angles, my definition of Leadership is as follows:

A person who can make the other person sitting across the table or on the other side of the communication network comfortable, inspire her or him to open up during conversation from the bottom of heart - is a Leader.

Watch out your own performance, evaluate and get the answer to this trillion dollar question - "Am I A Leader?"

Image Credit: Madhurima Kar

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Would You Visit My Blog To Motivate Me?

I am a Recruiter and an Entrepreneur, running my own organisation "Lis & Rim Consulting." 

Apart from identifying the best available candidates for my clients, I spend more than 4 hour everyday reading books on Life Management, Career Management, Relationship Management and Human Psychology.

Clubbing the learning from those books with my own life experience, I write articles on various subjects to help people navigate through rough and tough times in their own lives and win against all odds.

To go through those articles, you may visit my blog "Rainstorm' at www.abhijitkar.net and share your thoughts and ideas by commenting against specific posts. 

Your suggestions are extremely valuable and important for (1) helping me improve upon the contents and (2) inspiring me to write many more motivational and meaningful articles in future.

Would you like to visit my blog and subscribe to the same for getting automatic new article updates?

Image Credit: Madhurima Kar

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Give Your Employees The Power Of Control!

Scanning through my career, spanning over a few decades, the most effective performance enhancing factor I could remember was nothing but having a sense of control over whatever I had been doing. 

Scientific research into the DNA structure of Management Science has already confirmed that giving employees control over what they do and how they do, leads to a sense of fulfillment and multiply the degree of engagement.

My best career performance was in the organization where my bosses  delegated the act of problem solving and decision making to me, allowing me full freedom and control over all the activities in my area of operation.

The opposite happened in another organization I had worked for several years, without having any control over anything within my sphere of responsibility.

Leadership may look into this aspect of human psychology with a better sense of understanding and ensure appropriate mechanism for implementation of the same to create a self-controlled culture of working in the organization. 

Give them the Power of Control and watch the wonders unfolding. Based on my personal experience, I can bet on witnessing a dramatic shift in employee engagement.

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It Is All About Your Position, Not You!

Holding prestigious and responsible positions, both in government and private organizations, with great authority and power, we forget that the attention and respect we receive are not meant for us as individual but the positions we represent.

There is nothing personal, everything is official, unless we have a powerful personal brand equity for commanding recognition and appreciation on our own as individual.

This is very important for us to understand it and accept the same to ensure a smooth transition from the world of dream to the realm of reality, when we relinquish our positions.

It is difficult to accept such stripping down of years of being the center of attention and the pleasure of domination, but it is inevitable and obvious. Let us accept the truth gracefully.

Simon Sinek, a best selling author and management guru, explains the same with two real life examples and I thought it is worth sharing with my readers.

Here it is. Watch with full attention. You need to click on the video couple of times to activate it.

Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko

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