Book of the Month: UNBOUND: A Woman's Guide to Power
Hey STEM Baddie! ๐ ๐ For this month's Book Club, we are loving this book called Unbound: A Woman's Guide to Power by Kasia Urbaniakย ๐ช It is all about reclaiming our power as women to show up and take charge in this male-dominated world- and doing it in an influential way. ๐ค๐ฝ Instead of being brash and loud like we sometimes see 'power' portrayed as, casting your focus on the other person and really holding their attention is what is true power.ย This is a part of being influential, and influence is what will get people to respect you and take you seriously.
๐ธ INFLUENCE is POWER
True power is not performative.
True power is having people trust and believe in you. True power is influence. Have you seen the Netflix short series Sirens? Mikaela has power because she has influence (and looooads of money, but let's ignore that for now). She makes people feel good in her presence. She makes people believe she can help them and that she is the only person that truly understands and cares for them. This makes people WANT to help her and do what they can for her mission. THAT is how she has created this 'cult' and has so much power. I'm only halfway through the series so I can't say much else yet but man, she is good. Highly recommend studying her for this point! Just please do not throw people off cliffs.
๐ธ ATTENTION is POWER.ย
The moment you lose connection, you lose control and influence.
Turn your attention outward ๐๐ผ onto the other person and feel that connection to THEM instead of focusing your attention inward ๐๐ผ This means take your focus off yourself and your insecurities and instead focus on the other person and how you can influence THEM ๐ฏโโ๏ธ What are they going through? How is what you are saying, asking, or pitching landing for them? How is their body language? This is what should be captivating your attention when you want to portray power. It is incredibly powerful to hold attention like this, and with this increased attention it is easier to pick up on subtle body language and unstated needs.ย It is much more powerful to behave in this way than to be focused solely on if you are saying the right thing, if you have something to say when they're done talking, how you look or how your breath smells. Keeping your attention outward is the key to power.
When you play skillfully with power dynamics, the world changes. You stop being a servant of the life you're living, and become a creator of the world you want.
Have YOU read this book, baddie? Have you heard of this kind of advice before? We certainly have not and will definitely put it into action! ๐๐ผ Please comment if you have read this book or are moved to do so after reading this post (: Thanks, baddie!
I love reading and will definitely be sharing more tips I learn from books with you guys! ๐ฅฐ๐