Power Position
Welcome to the holidays! Just a few weeks left in this year. Annual reflections are still to come, but not this week. Granville’s Candlelight Walking Tour happened last night, and it was everything one could want in terms of getting in the holiday spirit. On top of the tour, one of our local football programs played for the Big Ten Championship last night, which made being in downtown Granville even more lively.
I’ve been listening to the audio version of Brené Brown’s latest book, Strong Ground. The audio version is read by the author, and I highly recommend it. Today I want to share a framework from that book that relates to power and how it is used. There is much more to it than this brief skeleton of the idea that I share here, so seek it out to go deeper if it resonates. Ok, here it is:
Power Over: This is traditional, hierarchical power - using authority, control, or dominance to influence others. It's about having power that others don't have and using it to direct their actions. While sometimes necessary in certain contexts, Brown notes this approach often breeds resentment, resistance, and disengagement when overused.
Power With: This represents collaborative, shared power - working alongside others as equals to achieve common goals. It emphasizes partnership, mutual respect, and collective decision-making. This approach builds trust and sustainable relationships because everyone has a voice and stake in outcomes.
Power To: This is about empowering others - using your influence to help people recognize and develop their own capabilities. Leaders with "power to" focus on building others' confidence, skills, and autonomy rather than maintaining control. It's essentially about giving power away to strengthen the whole.
Power Within: This refers to personal power - your own sense of self-worth, confidence, and ability to act according to your values. It's about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and having the courage to show up authentically. Brown emphasizes this as foundational because you can't effectively share power with others if you don't have a strong sense of your own.
Brown stresses the importance of understanding when each type is appropriate, and suggests that we should strive to minimize "power over" approaches in favor of the more collaborative and empowering forms, for a range of valid reasons that I won’t go into here.
It has made me more mindful of how I use my power, and it helps understand other leaders based on how they use theirs.
Sunday Supper
Today looks to be a quiet day at home, so I am inclined to roast a large hunk of meat. This Korean Style Pot Roast is right up my alley. This Philly Roast Pork Sandwich looks amazing. This Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Bowl would also be wonderful.
Sunday Music
Jason Isbell recently rejoined the Drive-By Truckers on the Late Show for this performance of Hell No, I Ain’t Happy. Brandi Carlile returned to the NPR Tiny Desk this week. Here is an 11-hour playlist of Christmas Jazz Instrumental Music. And, lastly, this is not music, but it beautiful and thoughtful - here is writer Robert Arnold reading his essay The Big Box of Crayons. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,