As far as taboo work topics go, power is right up at the top of the list. Which is a shame, because it shows up in everything we do.
Yes, power can look like who has final approval or who’s at the top of the org chart. But it also looks like whose words carry sway in meetings. Which team’s tasks get prioritized. Who feels comfortable speaking up when things go wrong.
In organizational life, we often talk about people holding power—too much power—as a negative thing. This can absolutely ring true.
But power isn’t inherently bad. It matters. And it needs to be discussible.
That’s why I’m so excited to join Dr. Lindy Greer for a real, honest talk about power this Thursday, September 24th at 12 PM EST.
Lindy is a bit of a power expert. She’s a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and has an upcoming book on power called Toggle: How to Adapt Your Power, Be a Better Teammate, and Win at Work.
In her work, Lindy argues that power is situational, rather than a fixed quality, and that it shows up in more places than we think. When teams learn how to recognize where power lives, name it, and talk openly about it, they can start influencing real change.
I absolutely agree. It’s really when and how power is used, not the power itself, that’s so important.
Lindy and I have a lot of topics on the docket for our chat, including:
How to destigmatize power in the workplace
What do we get wrong about power?
Discover what “power gear” your team is in
What role does “empowerment” play in all this?
Does RACI suck? Or not?
Power can be hard to discuss, but we hope this session will help you build clarity, confidence, and a shared language around power that you can bring back to your workplace.
If you’ve been wanting to join one of my virtual book tour sessions, now’s your chance.
Register at the link below, and if you have any questions, just hit “reply” to this email. I’d be happy to chat.
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Amy Edmondson and Jayshree Seth explore how AI is reshaping the way we approach psych safety, and how to ensure your organization is responding in the best way possible.
Angela Duckworth’s Advice on How to Find A Mentor 🧑🏫
Mentors for a reason, for a season, or for life. Angela Duckworth, author of Grit and Situated, sits down with Jessi Hempel to discuss the best ways to find the right mentor for your goals.
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One way to get your voice heard, no matter where you sit on the org chart, is our Make a Proposal practice.Sounds simple—and it is—but the impact this practice can have is major.
What it is: Framing ideas as clear proposals to give a team something tangible to react to, iterate on, and take action toward.
How to implement it: Start with the powerful phrase, “I propose we…” It guarantees thoughtful forward motion and gets your voice heard even in larger team environments.
By focusing on taking one step forward, rather than seeking perfection, you will prompt your team to become more agile and willing to learn. Proposals are like experiments, and when teams are experimenting, they’re growing in meaningful ways.
SAFE TO TRY
Quick tips to start changing how your team works
One way to get your voice heard, no matter where you sit on the org chart, is our Make a Proposal practice.Sounds simple—and it is—but the impact this practice can have is major.
What it is: Framing ideas as clear proposals to give a team something tangible to react to, iterate on, and take action toward.
How to implement it: Start with the powerful phrase, “I propose we…” It guarantees thoughtful forward motion and gets your voice heard even in larger team environments.
By focusing on taking one step forward, rather than seeking perfection, you will prompt your team to become more agile and willing to learn. Proposals are like experiments, and when teams are experimenting, they’re growing in meaningful ways.
This is a newsletter about teaming. Real teaming. The everyday, unglamorous, transformative kind that actually moves organizations and people forward in a world that never sits still. In it, you’ll find stories, insights, and practices about the beautiful mess of modern work. You’ll also get an exclusive look at Teams That Meet The Moment, coming May 2026.
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