When conflict approaches, skilled leaders recognize the choice: escalate or elevate. The bullish executive who crushes opposition may win the battle but erodes the foundation of trust beneath them.
History shows us repeatedly: Alexander the Great didn’t conquer by brute force alone—he incorporated local customs and respected defeated leaders, building an empire that outlasted his short life.
The most effective power move? Restraint.
When you hold all the cards, laying them face-up changes everything. Vulnerability disarms. Inclusion empowers. Civility, when you could choose force, demonstrates true authority.
The strongest person in the room isn’t the one who makes others feel small—it’s the one who makes space for others to stand tall alongside them.
Your true power isn’t measured by who you defeat, but by who you elevate.
