Power isn’t always formal

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

I’m on winter break, so I am finally getting to read Lily Zheng’s book, “DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right.” Chapter 5 starts with a statement that is one of the reasons I decided to do a PhD so I could concentrate on examining equity concerns for communicators: “I don’t have enough power to make change.”

It is easy for communicators to feel we can’t change things, particularly if you are not part of your organization’s leadership team. But, just as Lily asked this employee, I’ll ask you:

• Do you write the first draft of messages?
• Do you pick the photos that go in publications?
• Do you decide what questions to ask when interviewing people to capture their story?
• Do you update your website or social media?
• Do you suggest or select stories to share?
• Do you meet with other staff people to coordinate activities and share information?

Each of these are choices you make that are opportunities to make your communications more inclusive, increase transparency, and affirm humanity. Additionally, once you start actively thinking of yourself as someone with power, you may be surprised to realize how many choices you make every day, no matter your position.