Wij laten zien dat macht subtiel werkt en ons speelveld vormt, juist wanneer we haar niet zien.
Door onze invloed bewust te erkennen en ruimte te delen, kan macht het geheel dienen.

Samenvatting

Power works subtly, often without explicit instructions or pressure. Precisely because of its invisibility, it can shape relationships, decision-making, and the space for dissent.

“It is not power itself that corrupts, but our blindness to it.”

I once heard those words from a colleague. I nodded in agreement—for others. Not for myself. Because I listen, I consult, I involve people, don’t I?

Only much later did I realize how dangerous that image of the “well-intentioned leader” can be. Power is not always forceful or harsh. It is often soft, embedded in self-evident assumptions that are not questioned. It works through tone, timing, and presence. And precisely because it is quiet, it has impact.

Core Insight – Power Is Assigned

Power is not only a possession, but also an assignment. People grant you influence based on your position, your role, your reputation. This happens even if you are not aware of it—or do not want it.

In a system in which people adjust themselves to you, your words carry extra weight, even when spoken casually. An offhand remark can shape policy. A subtle glance can silence an idea.

Power shapes the playing field on which others move. It influences who speaks, who stays silent, who dares to take risks. The less you see your own influence, the greater the chance that it unconsciously steers relationships and decisions.

The Shadow Side of Good Intentions

Leaders who see themselves as “servant leaders” run the risk of underestimating their power. Good intentions are no guarantee of a healthy power dynamic. Invisible preferences—about who is credible, which style fits, which arguments count—can quietly distort the field.

What is not seen cannot be carried. And what is not carried will find an outlet: through undercurrents, passive resistance, or loyalty that slowly fades.

Deepening – A Practical Example

In an organization where I was involved, there was a director known for being approachable and accessible. People felt heard. Yet some whispered that certain ideas were better not brought up. Not because he rejected them, but because “it wouldn’t matter anyway.”

Not out of fear, but out of calculation: his preferences were already fixed. It was a sense of predictability—as if the outcome was known in advance.

He was unaware of it. And that was precisely what made the power field so layered. His reactions, tone, and choice of words gave signals that seemed trivial to him, but were interpreted by others as guiding instructions.

The Conversation That Changed Everything

When we discussed this, his first reaction was not defensiveness, but shock.

“So even if I mean well, I influence the field?”

Yes. Especially then. It is not your intention, but your place in the whole that gives your words and actions a different weight.

Power does not need to be reduced. What is needed is awareness. Not to censor yourself, but to actively create space for others to take their place. That requires attentive listening, even when you think you already know the answer. And a willingness to slow down, so others have the chance to let their perspective be heard.

The Quiet Signals of Power

Power often reveals itself in small things:

- Who you address first in a meeting.

- How you respond to disagreement.

- Whether you allow silence, or immediately fill it.

- Which topics you name—and which you do not.

Together, these signals form the invisible backdrop within which others move. They determine whether someone shares their contribution or swallows it, whether creativity is encouraged or restrained.

Power and Vulnerability

Awareness of your power does not mean you must always say the right thing or act flawlessly. It means being willing to acknowledge that your presence in itself already has an effect.

Vulnerability is not weakness here, but a bridge. By naming what you do not know, making space for difference, and remaining open to discomfort, you invite others to take responsibility for their own voice.

Your Role in the System

In every system, power is a given. It can be abused, ignored, or acknowledged. Only in the latter case can it serve the whole.

That asks of you:

1. Seeing – Be aware of the influence your words, silences, and choices have.

2. Acknowledging – Name your position, so others know you are aware of it.

3. Sharing – Actively make space for other perspectives and show that they matter.

By acknowledging power as reality, you anchor trust. You make the playing field safer, without making it less sharp.

Closing – The Invitation

Power is not a problem to be solved, but a force that can provide direction. If you see it, you can use it consciously—not to protect yourself, but to serve the whole.

Where are you more powerful than you think—and what do you do with it?

Rene de Baaij