Today’s polarizing headlines agree on one point: Power is inescapable. If we aren’t mastering it effectively, it’s likely that someone else’s agenda is taking priority. And not only in the political arena. Power in the workplace shapes hiring decisions, team dynamics, and leadership effectiveness.
Researchers from Wharton and Esade published research in 2024 that showed understanding power “politics” (their word) can foster stronger organizations and resilient leaders.
Traditional views of power often limit our ability to harness its full potential. What if we reframed our understanding of power to be more expansive, dynamic, and shared?
Larissa Conte, founder of Wayfinding, developed a framework of 36 dimensions of power, helped our team and community across Forshay to see power as a kaleidoscope—multifaceted, ever-shifting, and deeply personal.
The key question is, how do we recognize and use power in ways that strengthen, rather than divide, our teams?
Understanding the Kaleidoscope of Power
We are all familiar with how some (we’ll call them “old”) power structures revolve around hierarchy, authority, and control. But Larissa points out that this is only one lens. Her approach highlights power as relational, energetic, and deeply tied to self-awareness. Power isn’t just about position; it’s about presence. She calls it ‘Power that Serves the Whole’. She describes power as the capacity to move energy through systems in a way that benefits all parties involved, promoting aliveness, clarity, connection, and collective well-being. According to Conte, this form of power is about recognizing and utilizing one’s ability to influence systems positively, rather than exploiting or controlling others.
The Esade study aligns with this by showing that organizations thrive when leaders understand the nuances of power dynamics (i.e. workplace politics), not only in wielding power, but in how it is shared. One of their findings revealed that leaders who engage in power-sharing and collaborative decision-making see a 20% increase in team performance.
Is it time to challenge the old-school notion that power must be concentrated at the top to be effective?
Personal Journeys in Harnessing Power
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to power. Stepping into it requires self-awareness, experimentation, and sometimes, discomfort. Gianna Driver, former Chief People Officer at Lattice, puts it well:
“The most powerful people empower others. Power isn’t something to hoard but to understand, embrace, and share. Knowing your strengths, stressors, and what brings you joy is the first step in stepping into your power.”
Her perspective reminds us that power is deeply personal. It starts with self-exploration and grows through intentional practice.
The Power of “No”
One of the most underappreciated forms of power? Boundaries. Saying “no” isn’t just about declining—it’s about affirming where your power lies.
When you have clarity around your priorities and values, and then a power move is revealed that is in opposition…that is a big moment. You can’t unsee it.
Tracy Layney, former Chief People Officer of Levi Strauss & Co, shared how day to day decisions will reflect your power and priorities. “Even in not making a decision, you are in fact making a decision. Everything has an opportunity cost. When your decision is to say no, it is powerful because it provides clarity and opens up space to say yes to other things.”
Gianna shared how a “no” in when to work reinforced a culture of respect in her team’s collaboration: “I had a direct report work a full day on PTO. I called him to ask why he felt this was important, and he agreed that the message of working on vacation was not what he intended to set for the team. He stopped working on that trip and never worked on PTO again.”
Boundaries signal priorities, reinforce values, and create clarity. “No” can increase multiple aspects of power for yourself, and for others.
The Shadow Side of Power
History (and today’s headlines) show how power can be problematic. Psychologist Carl Jung popularized the concept of the human personality’s “shadow side,” the parts of ourselves we can’t or don’t want to recognize.
Conte and the Wharton/Esade study both emphasize the “shadow side” of power, where fears may lead to disempowerment rather than growth. We’ve all witnessed (and experienced) the fear of losing power, losing influence, and how that can sometimes create a negative spiral of thinking. There is substantial research on how fear-based decision making is suboptimal.
The key is acknowledging when your fears are sabotaging your power, and talking about power openly in ways that explore the dynamics. When you out your fears, you can flip the script and use them as a power source.
Missy Ballew, Chief People Officer at Delinea, offers this perspective:
“There is power behind being underestimated. Early in my career, I was told to wear glasses to look older—I didn’t. I could have let it get to me, but I was determined to challenge myself to learn how to communicate, influence, and build credibility with those who were much more senior than I was. I often found myself as the youngest person in the room, so learning to shift that perspective early on served me well.”
Gianna added: “In thinking about the shadow sides of power, there’s also the active effort it takes to ensure we’re sharing power, empowering others, and not over-powering those who haven’t yet fully stepped into their power.”
Understanding power’s pitfalls allows us to navigate it more effectively, ensuring it uplifts rather than oppresses.
The Role of Leaders in Power Moves
Leaders play a critical role in helping individuals’ step into their power. They create environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued…which ultimately leads to the growth of each person involved and to the organization’s impact and growth. One of the most powerful things a leader can do. Be reflective of how they are seeing and using their own power and expanding the power and impact of their teams.
“Hmmm… I think leaders help you understand yourself, enable as much as possible, and then believe in you as you fly,” Gianna shares. “Being bold and unabashedly yourself is how you differentiate.”
Are you ready for a Power-ful conversation? Whether you’re looking to strengthen your leadership team, power up your hiring, or evolve your culture for a more powerful outcome, we’re here to help. Reach out for a coffee chat (or walk and talk) today.
