How to Take Over the World Stanford's Most Controversial Professor on Why Power Is Good For You | Jeffrey Pfeffer
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Feb 19, 2026 
Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stanford professor and author who studies power and leadership, shares his practical Seven Rules for gaining influence. He explains how power affects health and ambition. He details networking as value creation, building a distinct personal brand, breaking rules thoughtfully, and practicing power through coaching and deliberate habits.
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Power Lowers Stress And Extends Life
- Power increases control and reduces chronic stress, which is linked to better health and longer life.
- Jeffrey Pfeffer argues you should "seek power as if your life depends upon it" because control over work lowers mortality risk.
Influence Multiplies Performance
- Organizational success depends on getting other people to do necessary tasks, so influence equals performance.
- Pfeffer reframes "power" as influence required to achieve interdependent work outcomes.
One Classroom Prompt Changed A Founder
- A visiting entrepreneur at Stanford didn't mention founding companies until Pfeffer called him out publicly.
- After that single intervention he started telling his story and gained offers and support.