Power and the Illusion of Control

Power holders often seem misguided in their actions. ... power can literally "go to one's head," causing individuals to think they have more personal control over outcomes than they, in fact, do. ... implications for how power, once attained, is maintained or lost. The authors note that positive illusions can be adaptive, helping power holders make the seemingly impossible possible. But the relationship between power and illusory control might also contribute directly to losses in power, by causing leaders to make poor choices.