Power Without Permission: Navigating Tech & UX Workplace Dynamics
We cover corporate workplace dynamics, to reveal what’s toxic and what’s not, to help you better assert yourself in the tech workplace and gain visibility, influence, confidence, and power within your role.
The problem with women in corporate workplaces today is that they are: (1) bombarded by toxic power-over dynamics (2) haven’t been given the space or resources to develop the foundation for their own internal power.
It can be easy to be swept up into the toxic and sometimes hostile workplace dynamics within the tech, corporate and UX sectors. The first step to avoiding un-necessary conflict while developing visibility and influence is to understand how toxic power-over dynamics work and how to avoid them. The second step is to build a solid foundation of internal power so that no system or organization can make you feel less than or take away you agency to influence and create.
The Struggle: Why It’s Easy to Loose Power on the Job
Why it’s easy to lose power on the job:
You focus on getting low-impact tasks or projects done rather than pushing to be on high-visibility, high impact projects.
You focus on people-pleasing and being agreeable rather than developing your own unique voice and perspective on the team.
When given feedback, you get defensive and sometimes overtly aggressive, trying to prove all the ways you are right rather than co-creating with your team.
You might be stuck in a victim-mindset, focused on all the negatives that have happened to you rather than focusing on ways you can gain agency.
You are stuck in your own self-limiting beliefs, unable to access the version of you that has already gotten that promotion or salary raise.
The BIG first step is to start recognizing power dynamics in personal and professional relationships, so that you can start to play with them and change them to suit your goals.
Every social structure contains power dynamics, and it’s important to start recognizing them so that you can learn where your edges are, how you feel in certain situations, and what you would like to change about a specific situation or existing power dynamic. What works for you? What doesn’t?
It’s important to co-create from a position of internal power, so that you can work well with managers who have more power and influence than you.
Everybody talks about managing up….but what does that actually mean? A healthy power dynamic with a manager involves co-creation and being able to move the needle on high-impact projects together. This means learning to give and receive feedback in ways that benefits both individuals.
It’s important to balance power dynamics between co-workers and stakeholders, AND when presenting your design work for feedback and critique.
It’s not just about what you say during a stakeholder meeting or design critique….its HOW you say it. Learn how to balance power dynamics and improv during your meetings with our playbook.
Of course it important to know what to say- but it is equally important to practice HOW to say it so it lands well.
Don’t just take my word for it…
The 4 Skills That Create Powerful UX Designers with Agency at Work.
Skill #1: Powerful Storytelling
Hiring managers want to see how you think. They want a clear story showcasing real impact and challenges. (Without great storytelling, your case studies sound robotic and forgettable.)
Skill #3: Clear Tonality
UX interviews, team meetings, and design crits aren’t about right answers; they’re about how you articulate your process. (Without this, even talented designers get passed over.)
Skill #4: Power With, Not Over
It’s important to avoid and not engage in toxic work cultures, where power-over dynamics are rampant. Instead, change the culture or find an exit.
(Without it, you will burn yourself out for no reason.)
Skill #2: Co-Creation
Co-creating with managers, stakeholders, and team members alike is a great way to get buy in for high impact projects. (Without it, feedback feels like an attack rather than an invite to collaborate.)
Here’s Everything You Get With The Power Without Permission Playbook
The Complete 30-Page+ Playbook:
“Power Over” vs. “Power With” Dynamics
Identify “power over” vs “power with” dynamics in professional and personal relationships so that you can build a healthy foundation of self-worth to address imblances.
The Give & Take of Co-Worker Relationships
Notice when the give-and-take of relationships in imbalanced and work towards correcting it so that equilibrium is maintained in relationships over the long-term.
Managing Up vs. Co-Creating
Build a good foundation for your relationship with your manager, creating an environment where co-creation is the norm.
Giving & Receiving Feedback
Learn to give and receive feedback without getting overly defensive, overly critical, or activating a strong stress response.
The Embodiment of Power
Power isn’t just in written or spoken tonality— its in your body, how you carry yourself, how your nervous system stays grounded in stressful or uncomfortable situations.
The Power of Walking Away
Keep your finances in order and develop a solid financial plan so that you have the power to walk away from any toxic professional or personal situation.
Ready To Finally Get Results?
Start building a powerful foundation for yourself, creating a system where you can gain visibility and influence at work.