On the Underuse of Our Powers, by Dr. Cedar Barstow

Last week, a workshop participant wrote me: “I just took a right use of power workshop, and it changed my life! I had somehow never considered that underusing my power was also a misuse of power. I had been trying so hard not to abuse power that I was avoiding it entirely.” 

On the Underuse of Our Powers

Using our working definition of power as “the ability to have an effect or to have influence,” we can open up to using power to have a positive effect and a positive influence. We can actually become power-positive.

Here are a couple of examples. Underuse of personal power can look like not standing up for ourselves causing further harm to ourselves. Underuse of role power can look like not taking charge when strong leadership is needed causing the harm of chaos and mistrust.

Underuse of status power can look like not speaking out when a person of diversity is being insulted. Underuse of collective power can look like not voting. Right Use of Power Institute is offering a free-for-members webinar about identifying ways in which we underuse our powers and taking action toward using power with both strength and heart. This one-hour webinar, presented by Dr. Cedar Barstow will be live, interactive, and experiential.

To register, sign up for any level of membership, at www.rightuseofpower.org and you will be sent a link to join: Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 12 noon MST