The Power Code [Book Review]

There are a LOT of books out there on women in professional settings. I don’t read them all, or recommend many, though all of them are worth exploring for new ideas and insights. I am recommending that women and men both read The Power Code: More Joy. Less Ego. Maximum Impact for Women (and Everyone). 

Here’s why you should read The Power Code

Authors Katty Kay and Claire Shipman have written other good books about confidence, which are worth reading, but in The Power Code they do an excellent job of painting a broad picture of the challenges women have in the workplace while also offering actionable advice. They take a perspective on women and power that is realistic–eyes wide open–and hopeful. They talk to real women who struggle and still find ways to wield power with joy and impact.

And this is the real takeaway of their book, when women see power as an opportunity to bring joy to their own lives and change to the world, they can often be more successful than they ever thought possible.

But Kay and Shipman don’t shy away from the reasons too many women don’t believe they can find joy in power–hard work, pressure on family, too little time to yourself. And they show why many women decide those are worthy prices to pay–satisfaction, pride, a sense of fulfillment in making a difference. They point out that the process of achieving power is harder than of actually having it. And, side comment from me, is that any different for men? I don’t think so.

It’s worth reading about these women who’ve attained power to see what joy looks like for them, and the difference they can make in the world because of it. My personal favorite was the story of Christine Lagarde, currently President of the European Central Bank, who made years of mothering count as relevant management work experience when hiring new employees. 

Women, think about this: wielding power in pursuit of your purpose brings you joy. #ThePowerCode #workingwomen #career <=Click to Tweet

The book also weaves a compelling story for how a driving purpose can motivate women to attain and use power to achieve needed change in the world. In short, it makes the case for how wielding power in pursuit of your purpose brings you joy. I wish more women thought this was possible and found ways to achieve it. 

Key Concept: The Power To

I highlight the point about joy and purpose above because I don’t think we talk about that enough, but related to this is the idea that power is often misunderstood as domination, or “power over” others.

Many women don’t like to play the power game because they (usually correctly) assume that it’s rigged against them. In a zero sum game where there is only one winner, the one who dominates the other, women are more likely to lose than the men they play with. This is true for several reasons, including the fact that men are more likely to want to win, and women are penalized for wanting to win, the “power over” game. Who wants to play a game you’re destined to lose? 

Kay and Shipman point out, and tell stories of, women who explore an alternative model to the “power over” game, which women are more motivated to win and tend to be very good at, which is the “power to” game. Whereas “power over” implies domination and control, “power to” implies empowerment and impact. Women are more likely to seek power to create positive change in the world and while many men are also, our cultural stories about male dominated power and leadership are rife with the opposite, including unhealthy ego and the effort to disadvantage others. 

For women who are pursuing, or considering pursuing, power in their lives it’s worth thinking about this concept. 

If you want power, why? 

• What change do you want to create in the world and how can getting to know it intimately ‘power’ you through the challenges it will take to achieve it?
• What stories do you tell yourself about how ‘power over’ is the only kind of power that matters, and what becomes possible if you focus your lens on seeking the ‘power to’ make important changes?

What’s Working and What’s Not

The Power Code is also a good overview of many of the dynamics we cover in our own work on Women in Leadership including:

• How women and men are both struggling in the current work culture and how “women’s issues” need to be redefined as “people issues”
• Biases we have to live with and grow beyond
• How “worklife balance” is being replaced by a search for “worklife blend”
• The dynamics of home life, and male partners, and how this affects women’s ability to succeed in the office
• The reality many men face trying to help women achieve more, and the empathy we need to have for them in this effort
• What companies can and should do to effect change

Your Power Code

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is the way each chapter identifies a handful of personal action items we, in our day-to-day lives, can take to turn these dynamics around for ourselves and our families. Here are just a few I personally like, but it’s worth buying the book to review them all. Many are things I teach in coaching and I know they work!

• Flip the narrative and get in touch with what changes you would make if you could achieve power, and let that motivate you to go get it
• Stamp out fear and lead by example
• Find joy in the power you have
• Prime yourself for future power by remembering and reflecting on times when you had, and enjoyed, power in the past
• Understand all the value you contribute, including emotional labor, and help others value it
• Be empathetic with men and help them adjust to women’s power
• Show up
• Find ways to engage in radical authenticity

As you can see there is a lot of wisdom, data and experience to explore in The Power Code. It’s a good resource for a book club or discussion with family and friends. You’ll find many opportunities to challenge your own thinking when you read it, and to challenge others.