Evaluating Our Power Dynamics: “Power With” vs “Power Over” Environments & Why The Latter is So Detrimental

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Power dynamics show up everywhere in our lives, especially at work, and they can allow us to thrive or wear us down.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the heart of power dynamics is one question: is this a “power with” or “power over” environment? </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our employers and jobs can either be our partners and collaborators or feel like territorial overlords who rob us of our much-needed autonomy.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Power dynamics make a huge contribution to our job satisfaction and how we show up.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss why it’s so important to evaluate our jobs through this lens, and the actions we can take to improve our power dynamics.</span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><strong>- The dangers of an overbearing boss dynamic </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How can we tell if we’re in a hierarchical, territorial, status-driven environment that has power over us instead of power with us? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><strong>- How employers treat us when they have a power with dynamic </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is it possible to have an employer but still feel empowered and valued? </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><strong>- The detrimental effect of stifling non-compete clauses </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why do typical non-compete clauses in our contracts epitomize a power over dynamic that does more harm than good?</span></p>