Why Do I Want Power At Work?

As a follow-up to our recent topic and discussion in class on Power, I would like to share a story with you.

I recently asked my manager for a promotion to become the Assistant Manager. If I don't seem excited right now it's because I didn't get the promotion. I know it sounds weird for me to ASK for a promotion but this is a very small local business. The current employees include the two owners, Randy and Gary, a shipping guy, Mike, the general manager, Kurt, a full-time guy, Rex, and me.

I have worked for the company for two years and ten months, so since I was a Junior in high school. When I was just going into the summer months after my graduation, Kurt asked me if I wanted to work full-time during the summer and take on some more responsibility in the store, becoming like an assistant manager he said. I wanted to do that SO badly but after I discussed it with my dad I decided that because it was my last summer as before college and real life, I would tell Kurt that I appreciated the offer but I didn't feel like I was ready.

Fast forward almost two years and hear we are today. I felt that the responsibility Kurt was offering me were things that I had already taken over and that because I was full-time during the in-season months that I had risen to the expectations of an assistant manager. I wanted to become the assistant manager. Badly. I love my job and I want to do all that I can to make the most out it and give back to the place. I also would just love the challenge that managing employees presents, especially at the ripe age of twenty. Well because of the other employee, Rex, who shares most of the same responsibilities that I do, I didn't get it.

Why do I want power at my work? I have learned so much from working there so long I feel that I am ready to take on more responsibilities or at least be depended on a little more. I want to feel more useful. I assume that gaining a higher up position will fill that hunger and let me try to discover who I could be as a manager, gaining valuable knowledge and skills to help further my career goals. It would let me teach and guide someone. It would let me become a role-model in someone else's life. It would give me an opportunity to offer my knowledge to the owners. But I guess I will have to wait until I can prove that I am dedicated and influential enough to take on that kind of responsibility.

Also, a raise would be nice.