I actively seek out people with leadership potential. I find ways to bring them into the rooms where decisions and recommendations are made. Exerting power - done well - is a skill. I frequently talk with them about how I utilized power so that they are both witnessing and analyzing what happened, can ask question, and can practice in low stakes ways. I try to create opportunities for them to shine on their own. Someone who showed me these skills - someone I reported to - often says “all your successes are yours, and all your failures and setbacks are on me.” He taught me to lift up other’s achievements and speak well of them behind their backs in places where power is wielded.
The best way to share power is find something that others can do and then completely let go of even thinking about it, unless they actually circle back to you. Also, if the result of having someone else do a task that you have been doing is not getting the result you need, not want, then rethink the delegation or diplomatically, with kindness, ask them about whether they are happy with the result or not.
Make a good-faith effort to delegate responsibilities and bring others to the table as part of the decision-making process. Sharing power also means sharing ownership. (Speaking of Moms Demand Action, we've got a succession plan in place in Virginia!)
I live by the adage that knowledge is power, so for me, teaching/coaching others is sharing power. With my kids, I've always made sure to keep them in the loop about their own mental and physical health -- I've taught them how their bodies and minds work so that they grow into being good stewards of both. In my work, I want women to feel empowered in their thinking styles, so I teach them how ADHD minds function, sharing all the information I can.
I realized recently that perfection dilutes power, so one thing I'll do more of is allowing imperfection to just BE. I don't want the need to look/sound/be perfect to get in the way of growth and forward motion.
(PS, completely agree there should be term limits on elected positions)
I just had the best karmic reward for sharing power last night! At my local library board meeting, I suggested we ask to be "made whole" for a budget cut 10 years ago. And then I sat back. My other board members leapt in with great ideas, excellent questions for the staff, honest concerns, first hand knowledge of what works when asking for more, and viola! We're asking that our City make the library budget whole. And we're asking for MORE money than I originally suggested.
I actively seek out people with leadership potential. I find ways to bring them into the rooms where decisions and recommendations are made. Exerting power - done well - is a skill. I frequently talk with them about how I utilized power so that they are both witnessing and analyzing what happened, can ask question, and can practice in low stakes ways. I try to create opportunities for them to shine on their own. Someone who showed me these skills - someone I reported to - often says “all your successes are yours, and all your failures and setbacks are on me.” He taught me to lift up other’s achievements and speak well of them behind their backs in places where power is wielded.
I love this, Alyssa. And it is definitely a skill.
The best way to share power is find something that others can do and then completely let go of even thinking about it, unless they actually circle back to you. Also, if the result of having someone else do a task that you have been doing is not getting the result you need, not want, then rethink the delegation or diplomatically, with kindness, ask them about whether they are happy with the result or not.
Great insights, Siva.
Thanks so much. Great food for thought!
Make a good-faith effort to delegate responsibilities and bring others to the table as part of the decision-making process. Sharing power also means sharing ownership. (Speaking of Moms Demand Action, we've got a succession plan in place in Virginia!)
Yes to sharing ownership! 👏👏👏
I live by the adage that knowledge is power, so for me, teaching/coaching others is sharing power. With my kids, I've always made sure to keep them in the loop about their own mental and physical health -- I've taught them how their bodies and minds work so that they grow into being good stewards of both. In my work, I want women to feel empowered in their thinking styles, so I teach them how ADHD minds function, sharing all the information I can.
I realized recently that perfection dilutes power, so one thing I'll do more of is allowing imperfection to just BE. I don't want the need to look/sound/be perfect to get in the way of growth and forward motion.
(PS, completely agree there should be term limits on elected positions)
This is all so great, Jessica! Love the ways you're sharing power in different areas of your life.
I just had the best karmic reward for sharing power last night! At my local library board meeting, I suggested we ask to be "made whole" for a budget cut 10 years ago. And then I sat back. My other board members leapt in with great ideas, excellent questions for the staff, honest concerns, first hand knowledge of what works when asking for more, and viola! We're asking that our City make the library budget whole. And we're asking for MORE money than I originally suggested.