From Chihuahua to Pitbull: Owning Your Quiet Power

I’ll never forget the advice a mentor gave me when I was promoted to Director:

"Nay, you’re not a Chihuahua anymore, you’re a Pitbull—and Pitbull's don’t need to bark."

This analogy struck me deeply, and it’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.

As a proud owner of a sweet and loving Pitbull, Becker (featured in the pics here), I’ve seen firsthand what my mentor was referring to. Pitbulls are powerful animals—they don’t need to bark or show their teeth. In fact, I remember walking with him and noticing how people would cross the street before we were even close. I always laughed and kept walking, but I realized that Becker had a reputation already. Even though he was the sweetest boy, people instinctively knew he was powerful enough to keep at arm’s length.

This experience mirrored what my mentor was trying to teach me: power isn’t about making noise or proving yourself. It’s about understanding and owning your presence in a way that others respect instinctively. It’s about recognizing that the dynamics shift as you rise, and how you used to operate won’t necessarily serve you at higher levels.

Power is not about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about understanding the room and knowing how your power is perceived. In my earlier career, I often felt the need to constantly prove myself—to show that I belonged in spaces where I was overlooked. But as we grow and evolve in our careers, the most effective leaders are those who know when to speak and when to let their presence do the talking.

The Catalyst for Growth

Looking back, I realize that being overlooked wasn’t a setback; it was the catalyst I needed to push harder, to be smarter, and to hone my instincts. That transition—from Chihuahua to Pitbull—wasn’t just a change in how I was perceived, but a fundamental shift in how I saw myself. It taught me that real power isn’t in the noise we make but in the impact we have when we use our strength wisely.

The Quiet Confidence of Power

A Pitbull doesn’t need to bark to command respect. The same goes for us. Understanding the power we hold and how to wield it with precision is key. This doesn’t mean shrinking back or being passive, but rather being strategic about how we assert our influence. The most powerful people are often those who can command a room with their silence, whose presence alone shifts the energy.

Owning your power also means being attuned to how it’s perceived by others. This requires emotional intelligence—understanding not just your own strengths, but also the dynamics at play in the environments you’re in. It’s about reading the room, knowing when to push and when to pull back, and ensuring that your actions align with the influence you want to have.

How to Harness Your Inner Pitbull

So, how do you begin this transformation? Here are some steps you can take:

1. Reflect on Your Power: Take a moment to assess how you currently use your power and influence. Are you trying to prove yourself, or are you letting your presence do the talking? Identify situations where you can practice strategic silence.
2. Develop Emotional Intelligence: Focus on improving your emotional intelligence by observing and understanding the dynamics in your work environment. This includes reading the room, recognizing the unspoken cues, and understanding the motivations of those around you.
3. Embrace Quiet Confidence: Practice restraint and strategic silence. In meetings, focus on listening and observing more than speaking. Notice how your influence changes when you speak less but with more purpose.
4. Evolve Your Leadership: As you advance in your career, recalibrate your approach. What got you here won’t necessarily get you to the next level. Embrace the subtlety of your power, shifting from the scrappy determination of a Chihuahua to the quiet, assured strength of a Pitbull.

Embracing Your Evolution

As we navigate our careers, we must evolve with the shifting power dynamics. Growth often comes from those moments when we feel unseen. It’s in those quiet spaces where you find the power to rise above and redefine how you’re perceived—not by barking louder, but by embodying the strength and confidence of a Pitbull.

Challenge Yourself: I challenge you to reflect on your career evolution. Are you operating at your highest level of power? What adjustments can you make to step into the quiet confidence of a leader who commands respect without needing to shout?

Stand firm in your power, and let your presence speak for itself.

This newsletter is brought to you by Nayli Russo. To dive further into strategies for professional growth, visit my blog and connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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