How to Reclaim Your Power and Influence at Work—Even When It Feels Impossible
Reclaim Your Power and Influence at Work | Jo Renshaw Life Coach, Brighton
In life, we all encounter situations that test our sense of personal power and influence. Whether it's navigating workplace dynamics, managing interpersonal relationships, or pursuing personal goals, the belief in our ability to impact our circumstances profoundly shapes our experiences.
A recent coaching session highlighted the journey of rediscovering personal power in a challenging environment. Clare, a skilled educator passionate about making a difference, found herself grappling with feelings of powerlessness after her school was taken over by a corporate entity. Her story offers valuable lessons on how we can reclaim our sense of agency and influence, even in seemingly rigid systems.
When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Your Power
The hidden costs of not speaking up
Clare described a scenario familiar to many professionals: a corporate restructuring that replaced a supportive and collaborative environment with one that felt disconnected and impersonal. She faced new leadership, shifting priorities, and a lack of transparent communication. The initial result was a sense of being unheard, undervalued, and powerless—a stark contrast to the autonomy she previously enjoyed.
What Happens When You Think “I Have No Power or Influence”
This shift triggered Clare to think, "I have no power or influence." These thoughts led to feelings of frustration and withdrawal, affecting her ability to engage fully with her role.
Why Personal Power Comes From Within
Why your thoughts matter more than their decisions
As I pointed out to Clare, our thoughts have the power to shape our emotional state and actions. The belief "I have no power or influence" created a self-fulfilling cycle, as Clare hesitated to voice her concerns or assert her needs. This cycle highlighted a critical insight: while circumstances may be outside our control, our thoughts about those circumstances are not.
By examining the interplay between her thoughts, feelings, actions, and results, Clare began to see that her sense of powerlessness stemmed not just from external factors but from the way she perceived and responded to them.
Reclaiming Influence Starts With Clarity
Create structure where you can
Clare’s journey of reclaiming her power started with identifying areas where she did have influence. For example, her unique role as the school’s forest school lead and music expert gave her the authority to design impactful programmes for children. By recognising the value she brought to her position, Clare started to see opportunities to shape outcomes within her control.
One key takeaway from Clare’s session was the importance of shifting focus from what we can’t control to what we can. This shift involves asking questions like:
What is within my power to change or influence?
How can I approach challenges with creativity and resourcefulness?
What actions align with my values and goals, even if others don't respond as I hope?
How to Use Your Power and Influence Without Burning Out
Clarify Desired Outcomes
Clare realised the importance of defining what she needed to succeed. This included a forest school site fit for purpose, proper volunteer induction, and thoughtful groupings for students. By creating a clear, actionable plan and presenting it to leadership, Clare could advocate effectively for her vision.Lead with Confidence
Even when others seem unresponsive, leading with confidence and clarity can influence outcomes. For Clare, this meant preparing documents outlining her concerns and recommendations, demonstrating initiative and foresight.Build Emotional Resilience
Emotional resilience is key to sustaining personal power in challenging environments. Clare worked to manage feelings of frustration by focusing on her purpose: creating enriching experiences for children. This reframing helped her stay motivated and aligned with her values.Anticipate Challenges and Plan Responses
Clare acknowledged the possibility that her suggestions might not be adopted. Instead of seeing this as failure, she decided to document incidents and outcomes to build a case for change. By preparing for both success and setbacks, Clare retained a sense of control over her next steps.
What If It Does Work?
At the heart of reclaiming personal power lies self-trust. Clare’s journey underscored the need to trust her expertise, intuition, and ability to adapt. Self-trust doesn’t mean ignoring challenges; it means believing in your capacity to navigate them and make decisions that honour your values.
Final Thoughts
Clare’s story is a powerful reminder that personal power and influence aren’t about controlling everything around us. Instead, they come from recognising our inner resources, choosing how we respond, and acting with intention. Even in the face of challenging circumstances, we can create meaningful change by focusing on what’s within our control.
By embracing these strategies, you too can reclaim your sense of personal power and influence, no matter the challenges you face.
Ready to reclaim your power and influence?
Let’s map your next steps together. In a free 60-minute Discovery Call, I’ll take you through my Life Audit and identify the five most impactful shifts to rebuild your confidence and momentum.
Leave the call with focus, practical actions, and a calmer mind.
This blog is inspired by the work I do with my clients during sessions, and brought to you in partnership with AI.
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