Do you want more influence? What about more power? It doesn’t feel quite the same to pursue power does it? Power and power structures don’t have a great reputation, and history is littered with abuses of power, but what if we reframe our understanding of power and use it to make us better leaders? That’s interesting, that’s exciting! We can dismantle the ‘power pyramid’ and turn it into something much more organic and collaborative with humanity at its heart. This is something I’ll be exploring in depth this year, so let’s get started!
Be honest about your power purpose - why do you want it?
Why you should listen: challenging leadership norms
We are locked into leadership structures that don’t serve us
We explore where leadership overlaps
Leadership autonomy - the reality
Expanding leadership spheres of influence - and concern
People before power - a leadership imperative
Take action
Consider where the pyramids are in your organisation - and what it feels like to sit in them.
Try redrawing the map of your team and organisation, moving from pyramids to interconnected circles
Consider why you want power and what you plan to do with it.
Never miss an episode. Get the BONUS SECRET RECORDING from People Stuff and
all the latest episodes delivered weekly when you subscribe.
Key moments
Planet Human: Zoë is just back from Japan, where they have just landed a spacecraft on the moon - which is exciting news! Another development is the ability to create virtual loved ones that we’ve lost - that’s happening over at Project December
Planet Zoë: After a blissful time skiing, Zoë is back writing, thinking and delivering. The Leadership Conclave is fast approaching and Olympus Bound is now available for pre-order - via Zoë’s site and on Amazon.
Reflection on Power and Influence (00:08:39)
The impact of power on individuals and society.
Conception of Power as Structures (00:09:43)
Exploration of the traditional model of power and its impact on leadership.
Triangle vs. Circle Concept of Power (00:12:29)
Comparison of the traditional triangle model and the proposed circle model of power.
Impact of Power Conceptualisation (00:15:08)
Discussion on the energising and enduring aspects of power conceptualization.
Takeaway Tips for Power Reflection (00:21:11)
Reflection questions and tips for individuals to consider their perception of power.
👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here.
Related episodes: solosodes
306 Three leadership truisms for dealing with uncertainty
330 What have you done for yourself lately? Big leadership questions
338 Leading with Integrity: Owning Our Mistakes and Building Trust
About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.