Activation is the New Power Move — Here’s How You Can Do It

This article provides strategies and tactics for gaining power, influence, and building relationships that can propel your initiatives and career forward.

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Now more than ever, we need belief in our individual ability to disrupt the current power dynamic.

That’s where Momentum by Design comes in.

I’m on a mission to teach everyday people how they can get power and influence, cultivate the right relationships, and end up in the room where big decisions are being made.

Activators aren’t just random disruptors—they are the key to driving long-term change. They are people who act as Superconnector, Information Maven, and Influencer all-in-one.

In an age where industries are constantly evolving, where social movements are reshaping how we live and work, and where technology is accelerating faster than ever, the role of an activator has never been more critical.

This is the time to recognize and celebrate activation as a strategic framework that can be applied across all sectors, and activators as the leaders who make it happen.

From boardrooms to classrooms, from the halls of government to the front lines of activism, activators are building the future.

But first, a few fundamental truths about activation:

In a world driven by power and influence, successful activation often hinges on who you know and how well you can leverage those connections.

Even if we bristle at the thought, we can and should leverage the tactics of power, influence, networking in a strategic way, which I call ‘momentum building,’ in order to move our initiatives forward or simply to get ahead in life.

Traditional paths to attaining power and influence are exclusive by their nature. Fortunately, they aren’t the only routes.

My approach centers on people-focused fundamentals of activation: things everyone can do, experienced activator or not.

I like to send people on a path I call “The Workaround...”

The Workaround consists of:

1. Having relationships with the right people — meaning, the kind of relationships that can open doors for you. Developing these relationships is possible by having a strategy, being human and intentional in your approach to creating and maintaining those relationships, and embracing some randomness and serendipity — you have to be willing to go outside the box to meet the people you haven’t yet met.
2. Providing a unique value to others without expectation of receiving anything in return. A unique value is something curated, interesting, or even opportunity-presenting. And your reason for providing it? Because doing so leaves a positive impression, brands you as “the person that provided ____,” and inspires someone to want to reciprocate.
3. Letting people know exactly what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and why you’re the right person to do it — or more simply put, having a clear purpose. If people don’t think of you as “[your name], the person that [your unique offering], which helps people achieve [specific outcome],” then you need a clearer purpose. Because if an opportunity comes up that aligns with “that specific initiative” of yours, you want people to come to you (or be referred to you) about it.

Here's your momentum jumpstart:

In addition to The Workaround, I have five tips I like to recommend to anyone who wants to accelerate their progress and start gaining immediate traction as they work toward becoming a strategic player in their arena.

1. Create a plan to acquire positional power.
2. Improve your ability to influence.
3. Produce a ‘body of work.’
4. Find your networking secret sauce.
5. Commit to intentional, authentic relationship building.

These are quick wins I like to offer up ahead of taking people into a deeper dive into my Activation Approach — a comprehensive, five-step process that’s all about building and sustaining momentum.

Acting on these recommendations not only allows people to develop an early advantage, but it also lays a stronger foundation for the more nuanced strategies that support my Activation Approach.

Ready to learn more about my Activation Approach?

• Sign up for my Momentum by Design newsletter to stay updated on Activation trends and strategies.
• If you’re a member of a forward-thinking organization looking for help in achieving a shared vision by tapping into the power of community and strategic relationship building, contact me to learn more about how my activation agency can help.