Influence and Integrity: Navigating the Power Dynamics

in Hive Learners4 months ago


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There is this common saying that money changes someone and that it is when they are in a rich position that they decide to treat people anyhow, and also, their character is revealed. It took me a while to understand that money doesn't change anyone, such individual has that attitude already in them, they just haven't seen a trigger to stimulate the other side of them and that is done when the money arrives. One thing I know is that whether one has money or not, when a person decides to be humble and exhibit a good attitude/character towards another, nothing will stop them.

The same thing applies to being in a position or with higher influence. Some people think being above or superior to others would mean they can act anyhow and be like a god that should be worshipped. These kinds of people do not respect others as they feel their power or influence would speak for them. They maltreat others in an unfair way and would keep ordering you around for their selfish interests and not consider your emotions.

These ones act like God and brag about their position, forgetting that tables do turn and someday, they will vacate such position while someone else takes over. It is how we treat or behave while in power or with higher influence towards people today that will determine how we would be treated tomorrow when our tenure is over because whether we like it or not, we can never be in a place forever. It's just time.


I have had doses of such treatment from those who feel they could use their influence or power to delay our success and in ways, use it to their advantage because they feel less concerned about us. I am always pained when such things happen and because I do not have an option, I decide to endure and sometimes let it slide till I get what I want. But in other ways, I do have a choice and that is to stand on what my right is especially in situations, where it is affecting me, and that is possible when I have weighed the possible scenarios and benefits.

We all have choices as humans.


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This particular experience of mine happened in the year 2015 when I had just finished my NCE program and needed a teaching job. I got one very close to my aunt's house where I lived with her. The proprietress wasn't the owner of the school but was managing it for a professor from the University of Ibadan. According to what I heard, the professor never failed to pay the workers' salaries at the due time which would be sent to her (the proprietress). We didn't know the woman was using the money to her advantage which was to further her Master's degree or so. We were owed for months until one day, I and my friend couldn't endure it again.

We thought of reporting her action to the professor himself but since we didn't have his number, the woman was acting so powerful on us and we couldn't fight for our rights at a certain point because there was no way we could report her. We kept coming to school, dancing to her instructions which she would give out without considering us, especially my friend who was coming from a far distance.

We didn't want to leave the school at first because it would mean no salary for us and we planned to find ways to collect our salaries and then disappear. We kept coming to school, my friend would borrow money to show up and she would complain to this woman about it but would pretend as if she didn't understand what she was going through.


Her power was brought down unexpectedly one sudden day when we decided to show her pepper. If she thinks she has the power to withhold our salaries for months, then we also have the power to stop teaching until we get our salaries. We stood on that ground until she provided and gave us the complete money that same day. She had the money with her but decided to take advantage of us because of her position and the power she had, not knowing where one person's power ends, another begins. I can never forget that day. We showed her the other sides of us and what it means to not owe any workers their wages according to what the Holy Bible says.


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I don't like being treated as if I am something else just because you are in power and have more influence than me. When I see there is nothing to do in a situation like that, I keep calm and accept my fate until I have gotten what I want, but in a case I have to go aggressively just like in the above story, I will do that because some people will take advantage of you and when you do not react, they see you as fool or nonentity unless you fight back and let them know the position they are bragging about will be taken from them someday. Life is so simple but with these kinds of people with higher influence and wanting to treat you as nobody, it gets hard.


Images are my property and belong to me

Thanks for your time reading. Looking forward to your interaction.

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For me I don't believe money changes people, it just brings a part of that has been hiding to the surface. They have been that way, money just helps that bad character shine.

Absolutely true. You are right. Money only brings the other part of the person. Thank you.

Money just reveal and amplify the real people attitude. Great post! ☺️

Absolutely 💯
Thank you 😊

You have made some valid truths o sis. Power should not be abused because nothing lasts forever. He that was up today might go down tomorrow.

Nice one 👍

That is something about life. No one will remain in a position forever except you are the owner of the business. In fact, such person will live someday especially to the great beyond.

My exact thoughts too.

There is nothing that lasts forever in this life.

Thank you, pandex 👋

Experiences teaches us how to proceed. Good you, teachers stood on ground and so, had a positive impact on your salary status. It is also true when people get money they forget the past. I have come across such peoples in my life. That was a nice wrte up dear. Nice photo of yours.

Yes. They forget the past once they have money or attain a higher position and it's wrong. We should treat everyone good no matter which position we hold.
Thank you for your lovely compliment 😘

It is unfortunate that there are so many people that fall into the latter category of those who use their positions of influence to treat others unfairly. I am glad that you and the other teacher decided to demand for what rightly belonged to you.
#dreemerforlife

Yea. We couldn't endure it anymore, so out of frustration, we did what we did. Thank you 😊

Power takes the hidden monster ouf of people. It's a shame many of us had to go through tough experiences due to it. Thanks God it was a happy ending for you.

#dreemerforlife

Yes. It's always unfortunate to go through such chaos because of their nonchalant attitude when they are in power. Thanks for your comment.

That's so bad of the woman. I wonder the kind of joy she was deriving from such attitude. Wickedness!

Wickedness indeed.

Once people get their hands on cash 💰, they tend to change completely, mostly in the way they treat those who are under them.
Imagine having the complete money to reward you guys for your efforts but rather, she chose to be selfish. I'm not surprised as she is not the first individual in power to exhibit such behavior neither will she be the last.

#Dreemerforlife.

Yes, there are many like her everywhere who thinks they can do whatever they like because of power or connection. One day, everything will end and what would remain would be their character and attitude towards others.

Yeah it’s true.
Money is just a trigger or let’s say just a catalyst to bring out whatever character someone has in them all this while.

#dreemerforlife

You are absolutely right ✅️