power trip
Ego-driven dominance display
A power trip is the exercise of authority for its own sake—enjoying control over others rather than using it toward legitimate ends.
Someone on a power trip revels in making others comply: The new manager is on a total power trip, micromanaging every detail.
The phrase implies abuse of position, however minor the authority.
Oppressive, absolute governance
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
exploitation · oppression · heavy-handedness · micromanagement · overreach · misconduct · petty · ego
Authority to direct
- dominationSupreme authority held
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
command · mastery · assertiveness · alpha · influence · hierarchy · status · prestige
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
coercion · exploitation · oppression · heavy-handedness · micromanagement · overreach · misconduct · petty · ego · bossiness
control
Authority to direct
- dominationSupreme authority held
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- supremacyHighest rank or power
superiority · command · mastery · assertiveness · alpha · influence · hierarchy · status · prestige · clout
- powerauthority, potency, energy, hydropower, horsepower
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt-tripping
power tripservant leadership
Leading through service first
empowerment · selfless service · humble service · stewardship · mentorship
power triphumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · self-effacement · deference · meekness · unpretentiousness
power tripcollaboration
Joint intellectual work
delegation · empowerment · consensus-building · democratic process · egalitarianism
trip, power, powerful, empower, powerless, powers, powerfully, powered, powering