Power itself does not corrupt; rather, it quietly reshapes perceptions and behaviors — making diligence and self-awareness the essential bulwarks for ethical leadership. In July 1887, historian and politician John Dalberg-Acton penned a line that has echoed through the ages: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” For nearly 150 years, this phrase has been widely accepted as an unassailable truth, repeated whenever stories emerge of leaders abusing their authority. Yet, while catchy, this oft-quoted aphorism is fundamentally misleading and unhelpful. Power does not corrupt people. It is not some dark force that turns good leaders into villains. … Continue reading The Subtle Ways Power Transforms Leaders — And How Discipline Shields Against Corruption