Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Closing the Power Gap

Hello all,

This week I am sharing another gem from the Better Allies Friday newsletter- **5 Ally Actions**. You can get more resources from the Better Allies website and subscribe to the newsletter as well. Although it's geared towards leaders- I think we can all use this advice.


Invite feedback

Last week, I joined Michael Baran on The Culture Advantage podcast for a great conversation about allyship. (I’ll share the link once it’s posted.)

At one point, he asked me, “What ally actions have people struggled with the most?”

I didn’t hesitate: “Speaking truth to power.” That includes moments when we need to give feedback to someone in a leadership role about behavior that wasn’t fair or inclusive.

The very next day, I happened to be reading You’re the Boss by Sabina Nawaz, an executive coach who previously led Microsoft’s executive development and succession planning. Nawaz writes about something she calls the “power gap”—the invisible distance that opens up when someone moves into a position of authority. It changes how others see them *and* how they see themselves.

If leaders don’t intentionally close that gap, she warns, they risk creating a culture where feedback disappears:

“Those with less power will have a harder time standing up to a boss, especially one who thinks they’re always right.”

So if you manage people or hold any kind of influence, take a moment to ask:

“What’s one thing, if I did more or less of it, that would help you do your best work?”

So let me take that advice...

What's one thing, if I did more or less of it with WIT, that would help you do your best work?

Let me know!

All the best,
Holly

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