This week, you'll experiment with paradoxical power:
Day 1-2: The Presence Audit Track where you're overinvesting energy: - Which meetings could you skip? - Which emails don't need immediate response? - Where are you trying too hard?
Day 3-4: The Strategic No Decline three opportunities that you'd normally jump at. Use this phrase: "I'm flattered you thought of me. I'm fully committed to [current priority] right now."
Watch how being less available makes you more desirable.
Day 5-6: The Vulnerability Test Share one strategic weakness or failure: - In a meeting: "I was wrong about X. Here's what I learned." - With your team: "I'm struggling with Y. What do you think?"
Notice how authenticity increases rather than decreases your influence.
Day 7: The Power Pivot In one situation where you'd normally push, pull back instead: - If someone challenges your idea, say "You might be right" and go silent - If excluded from something, respond with "No problem, I'm swamped anyway" - If asked for help, say "I might have time next week"
Michael tried this challenge: "Day 7 blew my mind. I pulled back in a meeting where I'd usually fight for my idea. The silence was uncomfortable. Then two people jumped in to defend my position. By not fighting for power, I gained more support than I ever got by pushing."