The Courageous Leaders Podcast

Power Moves You Must Know As a Leader | Leadership Coach Joanna Howes

Joanna Howes Episode 191

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0:00 | 8:36

Power is always present in leadership… whether you realise it or not.

In my work with leadership teams, I see how often power shows up in ways people don’t talk about.

Not in obvious or intentional ways, but in the small moments.
Who speaks first.
Whose opinion carries weight.
What gets challenged… and what gets left unsaid.

In this episode, I break down the four ways power shows up inside executive teams, and how these patterns can quietly shape your culture, your decisions, and your results.

From dominance and control, to holding back and avoiding challenge, these dynamics are happening in every team… whether you’re aware of them or not.

This isn’t about removing power.
It’s about understanding how you’re using it.

Because the moment you can see it, you can change it. 

00:00 How power shows up in your leadership
00:33 Where power shows up in executive teams
01:00 Why avoiding power creates problems
01:40 Power over when control takes over
02:35 The impact of shutting down discussion
03:23 When performance hides poor behaviour
03:46 Power under when leaders stop speaking up
04:38 The illusion of alignment in teams
05:06 Power with working as a collective
05:34 Power within building self trust as a leader
06:01 How pressure shifts leadership behaviour
06:26 Why people stop speaking up across the business
06:50 Three shifts to change how power is used
07:42 Why strong teams don’t avoid tension
08:08 Final reflection on how power is really being used

This Episode Explores

• Power dynamics in leadership teams
• Executive team behaviour and decision making
• Psychological safety and speaking up
• Leadership self awareness
• Managing dominance and control
• Building stronger team alignment
• Creating healthier leadership cultures

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where might I be using control instead of creating space for others
• When do I hold back instead of speaking up
• How do I react when I’m challenged
• What is the impact of my behaviour on the team

If this episode makes you pause or reflect, that’s where the real work starts.

Leadership isn’t about removing pressure or power.
It’s about understanding how you show up within it.

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