The August Contest #1 from sduttaskitchen: Great Power Comes with Great Responsibility!
One of the most used quotes in the Spider-Man movie is "Great power comes with great responsibility. I believe that it's a lesson that we can learn in real life, even though it's in a fictional story. Every time I hear this quote, I have to remember that power is not just about strength or fame. It also implies that an individual must make use of what he/she has in an appropriate manner. Power is either through leadership, wealth, education, talent or influence, it must all the time be used for the benefit of others and never to harm them.
Power is influence, or making decisions that impact people in their lives, to me. Parent has power over the children in the family. In the classroom a teacher has power. In the workplace, there is a manager who has authority. Government leader has authority over a country. Anyone can have power – knowledge, experience or social media. Hence, power does not belong only to high ranking individuals. There are various types of power and many people have them without being aware of it.
The phrase Great power comes with great responsibility" is interpreted as meaning that one who has more power or influence in the world must be more careful in what they do. All of an influential person's decisions have consequences. Their words and actions can inspire people, transform lives or even cause issues. Hence, anyone with a certain power should always reckon before they act. They should think of others when making decisions rather than themselves.
I fully agree with the second one, that if an individual cannot take responsibility then what is the power going to accomplish? Power by itself is not beneficial if it is misused. Someone who can't behave, respect other people, or make just decisions is not ready for power. Indeed, power with the wrong hands can lead to fear and injustice and suffering rather than progress.
In our society today, there are numerous examples of this. Some political leaders are elected because they are believed to have the ability to improve the country. They should offer security, good roads, quality education, health care and jobs. Sadly, some leaders have neglected these duties once their leadership positions are obtained. Rather than serving the people, they are interested in their own personal interests. In such an instance, citizens lose their trust and the country suffers. It is obvious that power without responsibility is worthless.
The same applies in schools. The teachers have the duty to teach and guide the students. They should be fair in their treatment of all students, promote learning, and set good examples for the students. The responsible teacher nurtures students' confidence and good character. But if a teacher is neglectful and treats students unfair, he/ she makes improper use of his or her authority. The role of a teacher is valued due to the duties that go with it.
Parents are also very powerful people in their families. The children rely on their parents for guidance, protection and discipline. Good parents are loving and patient in their use of authority. They inculcate in their children good values and nurture them to develop into responsible citizens. Parents who are irresponsible or overbearing, on the other hand, will have an adverse impact on the future of their children. This is yet another reason for the need to always have power with responsibility.
Social media has also established a new sense of “power” in this day and age. Many people have thousands and millions of followers. They may have ideas that can affect the thinking, clothing, spending of money, or actions of others. In the context of such an influence, it is always a good idea for content creators and public figures to be extra cautious about the information they share. It is an irresponsible use of power to post false news, to spread hate or to promote harmful behavior. Rather, they should leverage their platforms to educate, inspire and encourage positive change.
In my personal experiences, I have discovered that little things mean a lot when it comes to responsibility. Being responsible for keeping promises, respecting others, doing assignments on time, and being honest are all types of responsibility. Though these are trivial tasks, they're ones that are preparing us for future responsibilities. I think if somebody can't do things on a smaller scale, they will have trouble doing things on a bigger scale later in life.
There are a number of key elements that will need to be reviewed to provide a good balance between power and responsibility. The first is to be honest. Peace-loving individuals tend not to misuse their authority since they appreciate honesty and fairness. The second is self-control. It is sometimes possible to be proud or arrogant when influenced by the power, and they need to master their emotions and desires. The third is accountability. Those in leadership should always be open to correcting their wrongs, and be able to explain their decisions.
Humility is also a crucial one. Whoever becomes great should not boast, otherwise they will be acorns. Being humble makes a leader listen, tolerate opposing viewpoints and learn. A humble leader earns respect because the people know that he/she cares for others and not for self.
Compassion is also crucial. A responsible person considers the behaviour one has towards other people. They think about their choices and how their choices will affect the happiness, safety, or improvement of others' lives before they make them. Compassion stops people from abusing power for their own selfish needs or for the harm of others.
I also think that there's a significant amount of wisdom there, too. Wisdom enables human beings to discern what to do even under challenging circumstances. Good leaders don't rush into actions. They collect information, listen to others and make careful decisions. This minimizes errors and builds confidence with people over whom they are leading.
Throughout history, the most remembered people are those who wielded their power for the benefit of humankind. They became better people in their communities, they helped those who were less fortunate and they opened opportunities for others. They are still remembered for their understanding of the concept of leadership; serving rather than seeking personal gain. However, those who exercised their authority unjustly lost the trust and respect of people.
I invite @sduttaskitchen, @meraindia and @piya3 @sampabiswas to drop a very constructive comments on this post and also to participate in this contest.