Can You Handle the Power?

So you have power – now what?  Women and power go hand in hand.  Where you are or with whom, are irrelevant.  The opportunities to wield your power are enormous.  But there’s one crucial threshold you need to cross first: knowing you can handle it. But what does that really mean? Redefining the idea of power as influence is a challenging feat, particularly hard in that we look at the world in all of its complexities to find women who wielded their importance either suffered because of it or made difficult sacrifices to reach their destinations.  Having power is no small accomplishment.  But, keeping that power is another ballgame. For centuries women have found that power, hard or dynamic, can be fleeting.  One million or so Twitter followers today can be kissed goodbye as quickly as a company can go bankrupt or a government overthrown.  And so we consider this ‘list’ a frozen moment in time. Here are the 5 MUST HAVE strengths when stepping into AND holding onto your power:

1. Step into your power totally.  Don’t be afraid of it.  If you are unsure of a course of action – don’t do it!  This is the most overlooked strength separating the TRULY powerful woman from the woman who WANTS to be powerful.  This strength is also greatly developed by the woman who trusts her intuition.
2. Don’t misuse or abuse your power.  Be sure to understand the reason for exercising your power.  Is it to ‘show’ someone who’s boss? Or prove yourself to your main critic?  Are you being reckless – without regard for people getting in the way?  Or do you play games with your power?
3. Recognize YOUR ‘power’ triggers.  You’ve heard the phrase, “Crush your enemy totally?”  Well, the enemy here is the triggers that mess things up.  You should identify your triggers; self-doubt, loss of integrity, huge ego, hidden agendas, or mediocrity.  Once you get out of your own way – your influence and power will soar!
4. Be selective on where you use your power.  Having power means having responsibility.  It requires that you are accountable to yourself and to others.  Be careful before you rush in to ‘take sides.’  The first side you commit to is yourself. Maintain your independence.  Allow the circumstances to come to you rather than chasing them.
5. Focus your power.  Focus on the big picture and the long-term outcome.  It isn’t always about what is right in front of you.  Rather, the powerful woman sees what is to be gained, corrected, or achieved.  Women are goal-oriented; working toward getting it done, not getting their way.

Bonus Strength: In the effort to sustain your power accept that you will find yourself, sometimes, in the position of asking for help from people more powerful than you.  Asking for help is an art.  You need to depend on your ability to understand the person you are seeking help from and do not confuse your needs with theirs.  You cannot afford to get trapped in only seeing what it is you want or desire.  Every time you deal with another person you are dealing with another culture; their experiences, ideas, and prejudices that make them different from you. So, how do you circumvent these differences?  You appeal to their self-interest.  That requires homework but well worth it!  The single best tip here is to not only know their self-interests but how to appeal to the emotion that is connected to that self-interest. Action Item: Choose a person that you can comfortably seek help from.  Answer these two questions; what are they most interested in and what emotion is connected to that interest?  For example, the person’s interest lies in making money and the emotion connected to that is security. It’s a Matter of Pleasure and Pain. People care about two things; what’s in it for me and what will happen if I don’t take action, in this case, helping you.  So, to cross this bridge successfully, you need to appeal to their very strong addiction to pleasure or pain.  Look for the ultimate pleasure they are seeking or the vital pain they will avoid at any cost. You see, emotions are at the core of everything we do.  People are looking for a specific feeling or experience.  Remember this in asking for help from powerful people – they are very in tune with these two principles.

[Editor's Note: This is only one of the many powerful articles in this week's Influence It! Real Power for Women free ezine. To enjoy the full issue, jam packed with insightful information on strategies to enhance your personal and professional life to achieve ultimate success, you must be a subscriber. Sign up for your own free subscription NOW by clicking here!]