Here's where people get paradoxical power wrong: they think it means becoming aloof, manipulative, or uncaring. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Paradoxical power is about becoming so valuable that you don't need to chase influence—it flows to you naturally. It's about being so secure in your worth that you can be generous without being a doormat. It's about caring so much about excellence that you're not attached to credit.
Consider the difference: - Manipulative withholding vs. Strategic absence - Playing games vs. Having boundaries - False vulnerability vs. Authentic strength
The key question: Are you creating space for your power to grow, or are you trying to trick people into giving you power?
David understood this distinction. When he let those elevator doors close on his CEO, he wasn't playing games. He was honoring his own time and trajectory. The CEO respected that. More importantly, David respected himself.