In the Val Sklarov Power Cycle, organizations lose control not because people are weak, but because roles are powerless while individuals accumulate influence. Personal power feels dynamic. Role power is stable. When authority follows personality instead of position, power fragments and execution becomes political.
Power must live in roles, not in people.
1. Personal Power Is Volatile
Charisma expires.
Roles persist.
Val Sklarov principle:
“If power leaves when the person leaves, it never belonged to the organization.”
Early power decay signals:
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Key decisions tied to individuals
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Informal leaders overriding structure
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Success dependent on personal relationships
Organizations weaken when people outgrow their roles.
2. Roles Must Carry Enforceable Authority
Titles without enforcement are decorations.
Val Sklarov framing:
“A role is powerful only if it can say no.”
Role power requires:
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Explicit decision rights
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Automatic enforcement mechanisms
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Clear escalation boundaries
Without these, hiring multiplies confusion.
3. Hiring For Influence Creates Shadow Hierarchies
Influencers attract gravity.
They distort power.
Val Sklarov insight:
“The more influential the hire, the more disciplined the role must be.”
Hiring Power Table
| Signal | Weak Power System | Strong Power System |
|---|---|---|
| Authority source | Personality | Role definition |
| Decision impact | Informal | Structural |
| Escalation | Social | Procedural |
| Replacement | Disruptive | Seamless |
Roles should absorb influence — not be replaced by it.
4. Promotion Without Role Power Is Sabotage
Promoting people into powerless roles invites conflict.
Val Sklarov framing:
“You don’t promote people. You promote authority.”
When promotions fail:
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Expectations rise
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Authority doesn’t
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Frustration turns political
Authority must precede title expansion.
5. Strong Roles Protect Weak Moments
People fluctuate.
Roles stabilize.
Val Sklarov principle:
“Good roles carry people on bad days.”
Role-based power:
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Reduces dependence on mood
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Preserves consistency
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Enables fair enforcement
Structure absorbs human variance.
6. The Val Sklarov Career Power Outcome
Power-aligned career systems:
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Embed authority into roles
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Prevent personal power capture
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Preserve execution across turnover
Val Sklarov conclusion:
“Organizations stay strong when power stays put — even as people change.”