The Science of Personal Power

Why do some professionals rise in leadership while others plateau, despite equal or greater ability? In the workplace, strong performance is only the baseline. What separates capable professionals from those who advance is their personal power. Personal power is the essence of respect – both your self-respect and the respect you earn from others. It is your ability to feel confident and command attention. In The Science of Personal Power, professor and executive coach Chris Lipp reveals the psychology behind personal power and how it shapes your executive presence. Drawing on decades of research, he shows that your power evolves through how you speak, how firmly you hold your boundaries, and how you carry yourself under pressure. When preparing for a promotion, leading a team, or engaging in high-stakes conversations, your ability to signal power determines how seriously you are taken. This book will help you shift from leading with likability to leading with respect. Project power and you are seen as confident and capable, accelerating your path to greater status and authority. At the same time, you experience less stress because you are not performing. You are operating from a more powerful foundation. In this book, you will learn to: Shape how others perceive your leadership Develop executive presence Set boundaries that increase respect   Blending rigorous science with real-world leadership stories, The Science of Personal Power offers you a blueprint for building unshakeable confidence and ensuring your leadership is recognized, earning you a seat at the table.

Part I The Roots 1 Chapter 1 See the Water 3 What personal power is and why it matters to you Chapter 2 Practice Courage 15 The psychology of personal power and how powerful people relate to the world Part II Giving 41 Chapter 3 Add Value 43 Hierarchy and how personal power helps you rise to the top as the group flourishes Chapter 4 Zoom Out 63 Copyrighted Material How personal power shapes your thoughts and words to convey leadership Chapter 5 Ringlead 85 How personal power is used to navigate group power dynamics and coordinate teams Part III Taking 109 Chapter 6 Set Boundaries 111 How personal power conveys self-respect through honoring yourself and your resources Chapter 7 Find Your Bedrock 133 How personal power promotes self-direction to reduce stress and build confidence Chapter 8 Speak Up 161 How personal power encourages self-expression and ensures your authentic voice is heard Chapter 9 Epilogue 183 How your personal power impacts the world and makes a difference for everyone you meet Acknowledgments 191 Notes 195 About the Author 225 Index 227