Complete Biography & Career Guide
Quick Answer: Who is Jeffrey Pfeffer?
Jeffrey Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business and one of the world’s leading authorities on organizational power, leadership, and workplace dynamics. Born July 23, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, Pfeffer has authored 16+ groundbreaking books, published over 160 research articles, and shaped how executives worldwide understand and acquire power in organizations. His controversial yet evidence-based approach challenges conventional leadership wisdom, making him one of the most cited and influential business theorists of our time.
Who is Jeffrey Pfeffer: Background & Early Education
Jeffrey Pfeffer’s journey to becoming one of the most influential organizational behavior experts began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was born on July 23, 1946. His academic foundation was built through rigorous education:
Educational Background
- High School: Webb School of California
- B.S. & M.S. Degrees: Carnegie Mellon University
- Ph.D.: Stanford University (returning to Stanford would later define his career)
Early Academic Career Path
Before becoming synonymous with Stanford, Pfeffer taught at:
- University of Illinois (Business School, beginning his career)
- University of California, Berkeley (1973-1979)
- Stanford Graduate School of Business (1979-present, 45+ years)
This diverse academic background exposed Pfeffer to multiple institutional cultures, enriching his understanding of organizational dynamics and power structures.
Academic Career & The Stanford Legacy
The Thomas D. Dee II Professorship
Since 1979, Jeffrey Pfeffer has held the prestigious Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior position at Stanford Graduate School of Business. This tenure of over 45 years has established him as one of Stanford’s most enduring and impactful faculty members.
The Legendary “Paths to Power” Course
Pfeffer’s most famous contribution to Stanford’s curriculum is his elective MBA course, originally titled “Power and Politics in Organizations,” later renamed “The Paths to Power.” This course has become:
- Stanford’s highest-rated elective
- Described as featuring “the most diverse material at Stanford”
- A transformational experience for thousands of MBA students
- The foundation for multiple bestselling books
Students describe the course as eye-opening, challenging conventional wisdom about how careers actually advance versus how we’re told they should advance.
Global Teaching & Consulting Reach
Pfeffer’s influence extends far beyond Stanford’s campus:
- 40+ countries where he’s presented seminars
- Visiting professorships at Harvard Business School, London Business School, Singapore Management University, IESE Barcelona
- August 2025: Launched as IESE MasterClass Instructor
- Consulting for numerous Fortune 500 companies and startups
Revolutionary Research & Groundbreaking Theories
Resource Dependence Theory
One of Pfeffer’s most significant academic contributions came in 1978 when he co-authored “The External Control of Organizations: A Resource Dependence Perspective” with Gerald R. Salancik. This book:
- Became one of the most widely cited works in social sciences
- Formalized resource dependence theory
- Revolutionized how scholars understand organizational behavior
- Earned Pfeffer a full professorship at Stanford by 1979
Core Research Areas
Jeffrey Pfeffer has conducted extensive theoretical and empirical research across multiple domains:
- Power & Politics in Organizations
- How individuals acquire and maintain power
- Political skill in workplace advancement
- Organizational influence dynamics
- Evidence-Based Management
- Introduced in Harvard Business Review
- Challenges managers to demand evidence before making decisions
- Reduces reliance on intuition and untested assumptions
- The Knowing-Doing Gap
- Why organizations fail to implement knowledge they possess
- Barriers between awareness and action
- Practical solutions for execution challenges
- Workplace Health & Well-Being
- How modern management practices harm employee health
- Estimates 120,000 excess deaths annually in the USA from toxic workplace practices
- Healthcare costs of workplace stress
- Time & Money Psychology
- How economic evaluation of time affects behavior
- Impact on happiness and life choices
- Social relationships and work-life balance
- Human Resource Management
- Building competitive advantage through people
- High-commitment work arrangements
- Employee-centric management strategies
The 7 Rules of Power: Pfeffer’s Framework for Success
In his 2022 book “7 Rules of Power,” Jeffrey Pfeffer distills decades of research into actionable principles:
Rule 1: Get Out of Your Own Way
- Overcome self-imposed limitations
- Combat impostor syndrome by acting confident
- Stop waiting for permission
Rule 2: Break the Rules (Sometimes)
- Success often requires unconventional approaches
- Bypass traditional hierarchies when necessary
- Challenge the status quo strategically
Rule 3: Appear Powerful
- Executive presence matters more than credentials
- Master body language, tone, and presentation
- First impressions carry disproportionate weight
Rule 4: Build It (Your Personal Brand)
- Make yourself visible and memorable
- Talk about your accomplishments unapologetically
- Reframe “bragging” as informing others
Rule 5: Network Relentlessly
- Access is the real currency, not just talent
- Strategic relationships open doors
- Build a power map within your organization
Rule 6: Use Your Power
- Power unused is power lost
- Be willing to take bold action
- Results speak louder than intentions
Rule 7: Success Excuses (Almost) Everything
- Winners write their own narratives
- Focus on outcomes, not just methods
- Winning creates its own legitimacy
Important Note: Pfeffer emphasizes these rules describe reality, not prescribe morality. Understanding power dynamics helps advance positive change, not just personal gain.
Complete List of Jeffrey Pfeffer’s Books & Major Publications
Books (16+ Authored/Co-authored)
- The External Control of Organizations: A Resource Dependence Perspective (1978)
- Co-authored with Gerald R. Salancik
- Foundational work in organizational theory
- Organizations and Organization Theory (1982)
- Managing with Power: Politics and Influence in Organizations (1992)
- Essential reading for understanding workplace politics
- Competitive Advantage Through People (1994)
- How workforce strategy drives success
- New Directions for Organization Theory (1997)
- The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First (1998)
- Employee-centric management approach
- Demonstrates profitability of valuing people
- The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge Into Action (1999)
- Co-authored with Robert I. Sutton
- Why organizations struggle with execution
- Hidden Value: How Great Companies Achieve Extraordinary Results with Ordinary People (2000)
- Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management (2006)
- Challenges business myths and conventional wisdom
- What Were They Thinking? Unconventional Wisdom About Management (2007)
- Power: Why Some People Have It—And Others Don’t (2010)
- International bestseller
- Translated into multiple languages
- Foundation for Stanford’s “Paths to Power” course
- Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time (2015)
- Controversial critique of leadership industry
- Exposes myths about authentic leadership
- Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance—and What We Can Do About It (2018)
- Groundbreaking analysis of workplace health hazards
- Documents 120,000+ annual excess deaths
- 7 Rules of Power: Surprising—But True—Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career (2022)
- Most recent major work
- Endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith and leading executives
- 16th book and ongoing publications – Pfeffer continues actively publishing
Selected Recent Academic Publications (2024-2025)
- “Emphasis on Financial vs Nonfinancial Criteria in Employer Benefits’ Measurements” (February 2025) – Personality and Individual Differences
- “Nurse Burnout and Patient Safety, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care” (January 2025) – JAMA Network Open
- “Feasibility of a Digital Coaching Program for Improving Mental Well-Being” (August 2025) – JMIR Formative Research
- 160+ total articles and book chapters
2025 Updates: MasterClass & Current Work
August 2025: MasterClass Launch
In a major milestone, Jeffrey Pfeffer launched “The Power Playbook: How to Win at Work” on MasterClass in August 2025. This course represents:
Course Highlights:
- 8 comprehensive lessons on workplace power dynamics
- Exclusive content not available in books
- Real-world examples from 40+ years of research
- Practical tactics for immediate application
What Members Learn:
- Map Your Path to Power – Create organizational power maps
- Managing Up – Master the art of upward influence
- Executive Presence – Command attention in any setting
- Build Your Brand – Strategic self-promotion techniques
- Building Useful Networks – Leverage relationships strategically
- Break the Rules – Know when to bypass hierarchy
- Remote Work Strategies – Stay visible while working remotely
- Holding On to Power – Maintain influence once acquired
Current Professional Activities (2025)
Advisory Board Positions:
- Collective Health
- Medeloop
- Quorso
- Veridian
Board of Directors:
- Quantum Leap Healthcare (nonprofit)
- San Francisco Playhouse (nonprofit)
Media & Writing:
- Regular Fortune.com columnist (twice monthly)
- LinkedIn Influencer
- Host of “Pfeffer on Power” podcast
- IESE MasterClass Instructor (since August 2025)
Recent Podcast Episodes (2025):
- “The Power of Roles and Impactful Career Moves with Sarah Friar” (March 2025)
- Multiple high-profile interviews with executives and entrepreneurs
Awards, Recognition & Influence
Major Academic Honors
- Richard D. Irwin Award – Academy of Management
- For scholarly contributions to management (1989)
- Honorary Doctorate – Tilburg University, Netherlands (2011)
- Academy of Management Fellow – Elected over 25 years ago
- One of the highest honors in management scholarship
- Thinkers50 Hall of Fame Inductee
- Recognized among world’s top management thinkers
- Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences Fellow
Professional Recognition
- Top 40 Case Authors – The Case Centre (2016)
- Ranked 25th among case authors (2015-16)
- 150+ articles published in top-tier academic journals
- One of the most cited scholars in organizational behavior
Industry Impact
- Featured in Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Washington Post
- Consulted by Fortune 500 companies worldwide
- Influenced management education globally
- Shaped curriculum at top business schools worldwide
Controversies & Criticisms: The “Dark Side” of Power
Common Criticisms
Jeffrey Pfeffer’s work has sparked considerable debate:
1. “Too Machiavellian”
Criticism: His advice appears cynical and manipulative Pfeffer’s Response: He’s describing reality as it is, not as it should be. Understanding power dynamics helps good people create positive change.
2. “Undermines Authentic Leadership”
Criticism: Contradicts popular leadership development advice Pfeffer’s Position: Most leadership advice is aspirational, not evidence-based. His research shows what actually works in competitive environments.
3. Leadership BS Backlash
Criticism: His 2015 book directly challenged the $20+ billion leadership industry Defense: Evidence suggests leadership training often fails to improve outcomes. Pfeffer advocates evidence-based approaches.
4. Ethical Concerns
Criticism: Some worry his teachings could be misused Pfeffer’s Stance: Power is neutral—a tool that can serve noble or selfish ends. Ethical people need power to advance worthy causes.
Course Disclaimer
Pfeffer includes a disclaimer in his “Paths to Power” syllabus:
“This Class Is Not for Everyone” (bolded and italicized)
He acknowledges his teachings can be “dark” and “depressing” to some students, but maintains they’re necessary for navigating real organizational dynamics.
Defense from Students & Practitioners
Many former students credit Pfeffer’s teachings with:
- Breaking through cultural barriers to success
- Overcoming impostor syndrome
- Achieving career breakthroughs previously thought impossible
- Using power for positive organizational change
Jeffrey Pfeffer’s Impact on Business Leadership
Paradigm Shifts Created
- Evidence-Based Management Movement
- Challenged intuition-based decision making
- Promoted data-driven leadership
- Influenced management education globally
- Power as Legitimate Study
- Made organizational politics a respected research area
- Legitimized discussions of influence and power
- Reduced stigma around political skill
- Workplace Health Awareness
- Drew attention to management-induced health crises
- Quantified costs of toxic workplace practices
- Influenced corporate wellness initiatives
- Resource Dependence Theory
- Changed how organizations understand external dependencies
- Influenced strategic management practices
- Shaped nonprofit and corporate governance
Influence on Executives & Organizations
Case Study Development: Pfeffer has written influential cases on:
- Keith Ferrazzi (relationship capital)
- Jeffrey Sonnenfeld (leadership transitions)
- Laura Esserman (healthcare innovation)
- Southwest Airlines (high-commitment culture)
- DaVita Inc. (organizational culture)
- SAS Institute (employee-first practices)
These cases are taught at business schools worldwide.
Media & Public Discourse
- Regular columnist: Fortune.com (current), Business 2.0 (5 years), Capital Turkey (3 years)
- Thought leadership: Shaped public conversation on leadership, power, workplace health
- Podcast influence: “Pfeffer on Power” reaches thousands of professionals
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeffrey Pfeffer
Who is Jeffrey Pfeffer and what is he known for?
Jeffrey Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He’s best known for his groundbreaking research on organizational power dynamics, the 7 Rules of Power framework, and his controversial critiques of conventional leadership wisdom. His work has influenced how executives worldwide understand and acquire power in organizations.
What are Jeffrey Pfeffer’s 7 Rules of Power?
The 7 Rules are:
- Get out of your own way
- Break the rules (strategically)
- Appear powerful
- Build your personal brand
- Network relentlessly
- Use your power
- Success excuses (almost) everything
These rules are based on decades of research into what actually drives career advancement versus what people are traditionally told.
How old is Jeffrey Pfeffer?
Jeffrey Pfeffer was born on July 23, 1946, making him 78 years old as of 2025. He remains actively teaching, researching, and consulting.
What is Jeffrey Pfeffer’s most famous book?
While Pfeffer has authored 16+ books, his most commercially successful and widely read works are:
- “Power: Why Some People Have It—And Others Don’t” (2010) – international bestseller
- “7 Rules of Power” (2022) – most recent comprehensive guide
- “Leadership BS” (2015) – most controversial
Does Jeffrey Pfeffer still teach at Stanford?
Yes, Jeffrey Pfeffer continues teaching at Stanford Graduate School of Business as of 2025. His “Paths to Power” elective remains one of Stanford’s most popular and highest-rated MBA courses. In August 2025, he also launched a MasterClass on workplace power.
What is Jeffrey Pfeffer’s salary?
As a tenured Thomas D. Dee II Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Pfeffer’s exact salary isn’t publicly disclosed. However, senior business school professors at top institutions typically earn $300,000-$500,000+ annually, plus substantial consulting and speaking income.
Is Jeffrey Pfeffer’s advice ethical?
This is debated. Pfeffer argues he’s describing reality, not prescribing morality. He maintains that understanding power dynamics is essential for anyone wanting to create positive change. However, critics worry his teachings could be misused. Pfeffer responds that ethical people need power more than anyone—to advance worthy causes.
What is the knowing-doing gap?
The “knowing-doing gap” refers to the common organizational problem where companies know what they should do but fail to actually do it. Pfeffer and co-author Robert Sutton explored why smart companies struggle to turn knowledge into action, identifying barriers like: fear of failure, measurement systems that track the wrong things, and internal competition.
Has Jeffrey Pfeffer won any awards?
Yes, numerous:
- Richard D. Irwin Award (Academy of Management)
- Honorary Doctorate (Tilburg University, 2011)
- Academy of Management Fellow
- Thinkers50 Hall of Fame inductee
- Multiple awards for articles and books
Where can I learn from Jeffrey Pfeffer?
Multiple options:
- Stanford MBA Program – “Paths to Power” elective
- MasterClass – “The Power Playbook” (launched August 2025)
- Books – 16+ titles available on Amazon
- Podcast – “Pfeffer on Power” on major platforms
- Fortune.com – Regular columns (twice monthly)
- Speaking engagements – Through Stern Strategy Group
What companies has Jeffrey Pfeffer worked with?
Pfeffer has served on boards and advised:
- Current: Collective Health, Medeloop, Quorso, Veridian (advisory boards); Quantum Leap Healthcare, San Francisco Playhouse (nonprofit boards)
- Past: Resumix, Unicru, Workstream, Audible Magic, SonoSite (NASDAQ: SONO), Longeveron (LGVN), Berlin Packaging, Actify
He has also consulted for numerous Fortune 500 companies globally.
How many books has Jeffrey Pfeffer written?
Jeffrey Pfeffer has authored or co-authored 16+ books, including several international bestsellers. He has also published over 160 academic articles and book chapters throughout his career.
Key Takeaways: Why Jeffrey Pfeffer Matters in 2025
- Evidence-Based Leadership Pioneer: Pfeffer transformed management education by demanding evidence over intuition
- Power Demystifier: Made organizational politics a legitimate area of study and practical skill development
- Health Advocate: Drew critical attention to how management practices harm employee health and company performance
- Career Transformation: Thousands of executives credit his teachings with breakthrough career advancement
- Continuing Influence: At 78, remains actively teaching, consulting, and reaching new audiences through MasterClass
- Controversial Yet Essential: His provocative approach challenges comfortable assumptions but provides realistic career guidance
- Academic Rigor Meets Practical Application: Bridges scholarly research with actionable business strategy
Conclusion: Jeffrey Pfeffer’s Enduring Legacy
Jeffrey Pfeffer stands as one of the most influential yet controversial figures in modern business education. For over 45 years at Stanford, he has challenged conventional wisdom, backed by rigorous research and real-world observation. His core message remains consistent: understanding how power actually works—not how we wish it worked—is essential for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in organizations.
Whether you view his teachings as liberating realism or uncomfortable cynicism often depends on your prior beliefs about fairness, meritocracy, and leadership. What’s undeniable is Pfeffer’s massive influence on how we understand organizational behavior, with hundreds of thousands of business leaders worldwide applying his frameworks.
In 2025, as he continues teaching, researching, and now reaching millions through MasterClass, Jeffrey Pfeffer’s relevance has never been greater. In an era of rapid workplace transformation, his evidence-based approach to understanding and acquiring power remains essential reading for anyone serious about advancing their career or creating organizational change.
Related Topics & Further Reading
- Organizational Behavior Theory
- Evidence-Based Management
- Resource Dependence Theory
- Workplace Power Dynamics
- Stanford Graduate School of Business Faculty
- Leadership Development Programs
- Career Advancement Strategies
- Organizational Politics
- Workplace Health and Well-Being
- The Knowing-Doing Gap
Last Updated: December 2025 Word Count: ~4,200 words Reading Time: 17 minutes
Sources & References
- Stanford Graduate School of Business Faculty Profile
- Jeffrey Pfeffer’s official website (jeffreypfeffer.com)
- Wikipedia: Jeffrey Pfeffer
- MasterClass: The Power Playbook announcement (August 2025)
- Academic publications database
- Fortune.com columns
- “Pfeffer on Power” podcast
- Published books and articles (1978-2025)
This article is regularly updated with the latest information about Jeffrey Pfeffer’s work, publications, and activities. For the most current information, visit jeffreypfeffer.com or Stanford GSB’s faculty directory.