Posted: September 6th, 2022

Applied Learning Journal

Applied Learning Journal
Abuse of Power
I was driving in town and decided to do some shopping in a certain shopping Center. I noticed the parking lot was fully parked apart from a few slots on the far left corner. The slots were not reserved, so I decided to park my car in one of them. A security guard rushed to where I was ordering me to go park elsewhere. I tried finding out why I was being told to leave, yet the slots were not marked as reserved, and the security guard said that the slots belonged to some prominent people, and nobody else was allowed to park there. I went straight home and tried finding out who those people were and why they did not want “their” slots marked as reserved. To my surprise, the slots were not marked because they did not want to keep paying for space. They only gave the security guard little tip to preserve the spaces for them.
Misuse of power is a commission of an unlawful act normally done in the office where the results affect overall performance. Officials or prominent people that abuse power are often those that use corruption to their advantage. The above experience clearly shows that power corrupts. These prominent people misuse the power they have, which is against human rights. They use ethical shortcuts because of the power they possess. For some people, power seems to bring out their best, but it brings out their worst in other cases. The sense of morality in people and the degree in which their sense leads then to being compassionate, caring, generous or fair shapes their responses to the power feelings (Hougaard, Carter & Chester, 2018). There is a positive use of power, for example, that is granted to the constitution.
It includes the power to declare war, coin money, regulates commerce, establishes a post office, and maintain armed forces (Ahadiat, 2019). the congress members are given individual rightful powers that must be exercised the right way. It’s not every time that power influences people who want to be less empathetic. Having a greater responsibility and pressure can sometimes make the brain rewire, forcing people to stop caring about others (Breakey, 2017). The prominent people, in this case, did not care about the job of the security guard. If what he was doing was brought to light or if his employer gets to know what he is doing, that would be the end of his job. The rest of the people like me are also suffering due to these politicians. Parking space is for everyone. They are taking shortcuts just because they don’t want to pay or book for space. These people are corrupt and lack morals and ethics.
In conclusion, five federal officials have been cited in the impeachment due to abuse of power. The overall consequences of misuse of power involve lower productivity, frequent absenteeism, especially in working areas, stress-related illnesses are observed, the reputation is ruined either an individual or the company, and the general morale is hurt (Machajewski, 2018). For instance, I’m sure I’m not the only person who has been turned down by this particular security guard trying to park in that area. Most people turned down like me must be working hard to find out who these prominent people are. If their names or rather identities are known, it will bring a lot of damage to their reputation, which would greatly impact their career.

References
Hougaard, R., Carter, J., & Chester, L. (2018). Power can corrupt leaders. Compassion can save them. Harvard Business Review.
Breakey, H. (2017). Arbitrary Power, Arbitrary Interference and the Abuse of Power: Corruption, Natural Rights and Human Rights. Responsible Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Machajewski, S. (2018). Political Corruption and the Abuse of Power. Greenhaven Publishing LLC.
Ahadiat, E. (2019). Corruption and Abuse of Power: A Reflection of Social Issues in Short Stories. KnE Social Sciences, 234-243.

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