Naming and Navigating Power Dynamics

There's an engine that drives business. You can feel it, but you can't hold it in your hand. You know what it is, but you can't articulate it. It's as old as the corporation itself-- older really. It winds through the halls of the office, vibrates behind closed doors on the 50th floor. It is the handshake at the 18th tee, the clink of crystal wine glasses in the executive dining room. Just as you think you're about to catch a glimpse of it, it seems to disappear. The rules for how to get it aren't written anywhere, but you know there are rules. So you put your head down, do your best work, try to pretend you don't sense this secret thing that elevates some people around you, but not you. That thing you feel, it's not in your head. It's real, and it has a name – power. 

Who has it, and who gets it, isn't simply a question of race, or gender, or even privilege. It's about knowing the rules of the game and then playing it. If you look closely at who has historically gotten promoted and by whom, you'll find that it's about more than just working hard or being lucky. The people making their way up the ladder are performing well, but they almost always also have someone showing them the way. They have sponsors, people who understand how power and influence work, and link their success to people coming up behind them. They're not simply mentors offering advice. They see opportunities to grow their own power by investing in you. If you want a seat at the table, stop wasting time worrying that you can't get one. Focus on who's already there, how they got there, and why they want you next to them.