How do you use the power you have?
Executive Women in Leadership: Redefining Power
What does power really mean for executive women in leadership? In this powerful reflection, Women Leading Women Australia founder Karen Brinkley explores how shifting our mindset about power can change not only how we lead, but what we make possible for others.
Rethinking power
The Latin root of the word “power,” posse, means to be able. Yet many executive women still feel uneasy about the idea of power — often because they’ve seen it used to control or diminish. Karen invites women to redefine it, seeing power not as authority over others, but as the capacity to enable, to influence, and to act with integrity.
Power with, not power over
Collaboration, compassion, and courage are not signs of weakness — they’re the foundation of authentic leadership. Instead of chasing “power over,” Karen challenges us to embrace “power with,” “power for,” and “power to.” These forms of power uplift everyone in the room and create workplaces where women’s leadership can thrive.
Thinking bigger about what’s possible
Quoting inspiration from Ann Sherry AO, Karen reminds leaders that real change comes from how we think about what’s possible — not just from policies or intent. As Sherry puts it: “What are you doing with the power you have?” Executive women in leadership hold extraordinary potential to transform organisations from within, starting with how they define and use their influence.
If you’re ready to stand confidently in your power and connect with women who lead with purpose, join Women Leading Women Australia’s leadership network — a community of women using power to create lasting, positive change.
