Yesterday I had a conversation with a woman in her 70’s. She was in a leadership position at a University and was discussing how she STILL has people reach out to her that she mentored decades ago. This woman is a powerful person - she is loving, present, generous with her attention, smart to ahem a few.
Real power - personal power that arises from within - not manipulation, management or coercion is long lasting. It is unfortunately rare. That’s why I love working on the foundation with clients that give the an edge in their business to be different.
I decided to research “what do people think of their boss” online this morning because honestly whether you are a leader in a business or an entrepreneur who pays contractors or employees, people tend to think of you as “the boss.” The one who holds the power and the paycheck. This is what I found in Forbes Magazine:
- Only about half (53%) of employees agree that their boss values their opinion.
- Approximately one-third (35%) feel inspired by their boss.
They discussed other stats in the article but these two really hit home. Especially the one about not being inspired.
Real power inspires. It radiates out so it lights up others potential.
Leaders who are operating on this type of power that I explore with clients, make their work way easier. When you inspire others to show up and be more powerful themselves, they take care of business. You stop hustling, you stop trying so hard to manage all the pieces, you stop feeling fear.
Everything gets easier.
The woman I referred to had created such a ripple effect with her powerful mojo, and continues to do so now, that people love talking with their old “boss.” Her life is fuller because of ease she carries and radiates.
Its joyful to be around truly powerful people and simply exhausting to be around people who constantly need to control the environment - aka what we have come to know as power in the typical world of business.