The need to feel a certain degree of control or mastery over others is the need for:

The need to feel a certain degree of control or mastery over others is best described as the need for personal power. This concept revolves around an individual's desire to assert influence and have agency in various situations, particularly in social or professional contexts. Personal power emphasizes the importance of self-empowerment and the ability to impact others’ decisions and behaviors, stemming from one's confidence and capabilities.

While influence, authority, and leadership all involve varying degrees of control or sway over others, they do not solely capture the intrinsic desire for personal mastery that defines personal power. Influence typically refers to the ability to affect others' actions or thoughts without direct authority. Authority implies a recognized status or position that grants power over others, and leadership involves guiding or directing a group towards a common goal but doesn't inherently focus on control for its own sake. Personal power encapsulates the core need for an individual to operate from a place of dominance and influence in their interactions.