Control Freak: You?—or Just Managing Well?



Q. The other day, one of my co-workers said, with a smile, “Hey control freak—what’s your take on this?” I laughed, but it got me to wondering if he’s really sending me a message. That perception is the last thing I want or need. — Kathleen B.


A. Take the Power Program Quiz below. More than 500,000 persons have taken this quiz since it was first posted on www.braintricks.com/quiz/power2.html six years ago. The results will give you a rough indication of where you stand on the power freak scale. I’ve briefly summarized the rankings. Read the entire explanation at the Web site and you’ll get a good idea of just how much you value—and use—power.


Instructions:

Answer each question by selecting a number. “10” if the urge you feel is tremendously strong; “1” if you don't think it exists at all; “5” if you feel so-so about it, or the appropriate numbers in between.


• How envious do you feel when a neighbor or friend gets a big

promotion and begins to earn more money than you?

• How angry do you get when someone at work gives you a direct order

to do a menial chore?


• How willing would you be to destroy a friendship if it meant getting a

promotion?


• How strong is your dislike of at least one other ethnic group?


• How much do you like to be in the limelight?


• How angry do you get when driving a car and another car cuts in front

of you?


• How strong is your urge to win when you are in a competitive activity?


• How resentful would you get if one of your equals at work was

promoted over you?


• How difficult is it for you to trust others?


• How resentful do you feel when you are ignored when a decision is

being made that you think requires your input?


• How easy is it for you to stare strangers in the eye?


• How willing would you be to physically harm people if it meant you

could reach a higher station in life?





The ranking for each question:



  1. These are unconcerned with wealth or possessions and are generally kind and considerate. They can be hard workers and have aspirations, but appear unconcerned with promotion, or achieving a higher rank. They are humble, modest, and polite in their dealings with others.


  1. These people feel some stirring of power and status. They will feel mildly upset if insulted, although probably not significantly vengeful. They may have strong aspirations, but are not mentally punished after defeats.


  1. These are the worker bees of society and content with that role.

They want to succeed in the tasks they do but don’t seem eager to rise to any position where they need to supervise others, especially in the workplace.


  1. These people aren’t preoccupied with gaining power, but accept it if comes their way. As supervisors they would tend to promote harmony and readily accept input from colleagues and subordinates.


  1. These people are where the most balanced of us are at. They may be ambitious, but they are not abusive in the process. They won't walk over family, friends, and co-workers to get ahead or achieve their goals.


  1. They would like to be at the top, want to lead, and are extremely disappointed when they don't succeed. They may accept failure, but only grudgingly. Their aggressive and intimidating moments emerge in the heat of battle, as they pursue perfection or authority.

  2. As supervisors they can be intimidating, abusive, and bullying if they think the behavior will serve their purposes. They enjoy the feeling of being in a dominant position; it gives them a high. They may be prime candidates for some form of bigotry. They may need others to look down upon.


  1. These need to dominate. They are arrogant, rude, selfish, cunning, manipulative and egoistic. As supervisors, they can be naturally intimidating and abusive, feeling no guilt or remorse from the experiences. They can become insanely jealous, envious, and vengeful if other peers in their circle gain status over them.


  1. These people are willing to do anything necessary to claw their way to the top. They will sacrifice family, friends, peers, subordinates, whatever it takes to succeed. They will plagiarize and cheat, if they think they can get away with it and they become bullies to even wives and children.


  1. They may be described as "severe" extreme power freaks, and include the Hitlers, Stalins, and Milosevics of the world. Dominating and subjugating others makes their day. They are definitely psychopathic and would kill without compunction if they thought they could get away with it.