Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c139IR // #c139Synthesis

This is the basic difference between the leader and the organizer. The leader goes on to build power to fulfill his desires, to hold and wield the power for purposes both social and personal. He wants power himself. The organizer finds his goal in creation of power for others to use.

— In our words · Source: Rules for Radicals (Saul D. Alinsky)

[Use when]

When you're tempted to become the leader instead of the builder.

[Why it matters]

Leadership accumulates power; organizing distributes it — the organizer's product is other people's power, not his own.

More from Rules for Radicals

#c124Always remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.When you're outnumbered and need to look bigger than you are. #c125The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people. When an action or tactic is outside the experience of the people, the…Before trying a tactic your people have never seen before. #c126The third rule is: Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.When you're planning how the enemy will react to something new.