# Review: Power, for all by Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro Borrowed from Namika on Sept 22, 2022 ## Review Date: 2022_09_25 #note/sourcereview/book | #source/book📚/nonfiction ## What is the thesis? - Power is neither good nor bad, it is corrupting without the right structures. When we treat power as dirty, we prevent ourselves the opportunity to participate. Power is gained by helping others access what they value, or reducing their access to alternatives to what we control. By understanding what others value, and increasing the access to it, we can change the balance of power. People generally value safety and self-esteem. - People in low-power situations often unintentionally secure the power dynamic because change would involve risk, and they are already not safe. We make up stories (and societies contain myths) that promote the status quo in situations of low power. ## Am I convinced and why? - This is an approachable and well researched, timely book. I am convinced. Thinking about power as amoral is helpful, because it can then be considered a tool (like money or technology) or having the life we want. ## What is the other side of the argument? - Power is dirty, corrupting, and we wouldn't want power. ## What else do I wonder about? - How can I create systems of empathy and impermanence ## Action Identify what gets in the way of listening, what gets in the way of acknowledging impermanence? - regularly listening to others and what they need - identifying ways to acknowledge my impermanence ## When do I want to stumble across this? #on/power | #on/politics | #on/engagement | #on/corruption ## Source: Battilana, J., & Casciaro, T. (2021). _Power, for all: How it really works and why it’s everyone’s business_ (First Simon&Schuster hardcover edition). Simon & Schuster.