Power Dynamics

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It's fun to look at your childhood with the distance and wisdom that adulthood brings.

I recall times when:

• I hesitated and ultimately decided not to raise my hand for debates and music competitions in school, despite knowing very well that my communication skill were above par. What if I wasn't as good as I thought I was?
• I refused to speak up when one of my classmates bossed over me, even though I knew exactly how to put her in her place. I thought it would be risky to lose face incase my message didn't land the way I intended.
• I refused to share with my teachers and classmates a very important contribution I made to my local community as a teen volunteer. I thought I would be boasting.

My experience for most of my childhood was that of putting my head down, doing the necessary work, staying away from risks and troubles.

During our conversation on the soon to be released Bridge to Leadership podcast, I asked Gayatri Das Sharma , what happens in the absence of power?

Her reply hit me home. It felt exactly how I felt as a shy and quiet child.

Looking at my childhood from the distance of time and maturity, I realised that I had the power to raise my hand, to stand up for myself and to share my contributions with my teachers and classmates. What stopped me was a feeling that it didn't matter whether I expressed myself or not. That I wasn't important. Which is exactly what happens in the absence of power.

I am different now (with some stumbles and falls here and there). I don't wait for external validation. I take pride in my achievements. I share my contributions where appropriate and don't shy away from taking credit for them.

What changed? My decision to step into my power.

Who gave me the permission? Me.

Where did this power come from? From within me.

Stay tuned for an engrossing discussion where Gayatri Das Sharma and I talk about:

• What power means in the context of career and leadership.
• What happens in the absence of power
• Our sources of power
• How to step into power in difficult times
• Managing the darker side of power within ourselves as well as others

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Additional Resources to explore:

• Hidden sources of power
• Playbook of the politically Savvy
• Make Politics work for you - Apple Podcast and Spotify