How politically astute are you?
Publication: Power Dynamics | Relational Influence | Strategic Awareness | Workplace Politics
Many years ago, I worked with a person who said, ‘Michelle, you can get to a certain level in your career by being good at what you do. But if you want to go any further, you need to know how to play the political game.’ Their comment always troubled me as it implies you […]
What feeling impacts how you negotiate?
Publication: confidence | Negotiation Skills | Power Dynamics | Women in Negotiation
The outcomes of negotiations are heavily influenced by power – how it is used and how it is felt. It’s easy to see how a person having more power in a relationship can lead to a sub-optimal negotiation outcome for the other party. The person with more power may have more bargaining chips, positional authority […]
How to know if you are drunk on power
Publication: Leadership balance | Power Corruption | Power Dynamics | Self-Awareness
There’s an old saying: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It’s attributed to Lord Acton, a nineteenth century historian and moralist. Power is a word that invokes a range of images and ideas. Some people see it as bad, while other people see it as magnetic and empowering. I prefer an optimistic approach and view […]