Status and Power Dynamics Workshop: Navigate Workplace Influence with Confidence
Learn to recognize power dynamics in everyday interactions and use status techniques to build trust, reduce microaggressions, and create more inclusive team environments.
The Power Dynamic Challenge Every Professional Faces
Does this sound familiar?
You feel uncomfortable or uncertain in meetings with senior leadership or clients
Some team members dominate conversations while others seem hesitant to speak up
You notice tension between different levels of your organization but aren't sure how to address it
Microaggressions and exclusionary behavior happen but you don't know how to intervene effectively
You want to build your executive presence but aren't sure how to command respect without being intimidating
Power imbalances on your team affect collaboration and decision-making in ways you can't quite pinpoint
The result? Talented people don't contribute their best ideas, team dynamics suffer, and opportunities for influence and advancement pass you by.
What You'll Learn in This Power Dynamics Training
Understanding Status Through Improvisational Theater Concepts
Master the foundational principle that "status is not something we ARE, it's something we DO" and learn to recognize status behaviors in workplace interactions.
Raising and Lowering Your Own Status Intentionally
Practice using body language, tone, words, and actions to adjust your perceived authority and approachability based on what each situation requires.
Reading and Responding to Status Moves from Others
Develop skills for identifying when people are raising or lowering their status and choosing your response strategically rather than reactively.
Building Executive Presence Without Intimidation
Learn techniques for commanding respect and influence while maintaining connection and psychological safety for your team.
Addressing Power Imbalances and Microaggressions
Practice intervening constructively when status dynamics create exclusion or inequality in team interactions.
Using Status to Empower Others and Build Belonging
Discover how to use power and influence to lift others up, create opportunities, and foster inclusion rather than maintaining hierarchy.
What Makes This Workplace Power Dynamics Workshop Different
Based on Proven Improvisational Theater Techniques
Learn from Keith Johnstone's groundbreaking work on status that's been adapted for business settings with practical workplace applications.
Focus on Ethical Influence and Inclusion
This isn't about manipulation or dominance - it's about using power dynamics to create better outcomes for everyone involved.
Practice with Real Workplace Scenarios
Role-play actual power dynamic situations like client meetings, performance reviews, and cross-departmental collaboration with immediate feedback.
Safe Environment for Experimenting with Influence
Practice raising and lowering your status in supportive settings where you can learn from mistakes and build confidence.
Workshop Format & Options
Virtual Power Dynamics Workshop (2 Hours)
Interactive exercises for practicing status techniques over video
Small group discussions about power dynamics in virtual settings
Digital toolkit with status recognition guides and influence strategies
Perfect for distributed teams navigating power dynamics across time zones and cultures
In-Person Half-Day Executive Presence Training
Extended practice with complex status scenarios and group dynamics
Physical exercises for building confident body language and presence
Hands-on development of inclusive leadership and empowerment techniques
Ideal for leadership teams and high-potential employee development programs
Multi-Session Power Dynamics Program
Initial workshop plus follow-up coaching and application sessions
Ongoing support for implementing ethical influence practices
Perfect for organizations building inclusive leadership at all levels
Learning Outcomes from This Power Dynamics Training
By the end of this status and power dynamics workshop, you'll be able to:
Recognize status behaviors and power dynamics in everyday workplace interactions
Intentionally raise or lower your status using body language, tone, and communication choices
Build executive presence and influence while maintaining approachability and connection
Address power imbalances and microaggressions constructively when they occur
Use your influence to empower others and create more inclusive team environments
Navigate challenging power dynamic situations like client meetings and senior leadership interactions
Choose your status responses strategically rather than reacting automatically to others' behavior
Power Dynamics Resources & Expert Insights
Want to Dive Deeper? Explore Our Executive Presence Blog
Get additional influence strategies and real-world examples from our power dynamics experts:
Explore our complete collection of status and influence articles →
Common Power Dynamic Challenges We Address
Executive Presence and Leadership Influence
Building confidence and credibility in senior leadership meetings and client presentations.
Projecting authority while maintaining approachability and team connection.
Navigating power dynamics with more senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
Team Dynamics and Inclusion
Addressing situations where some team members dominate while others remain silent
Recognizing and interrupting microaggressions and exclusionary behavior
Creating psychological safety where all team members feel empowered to contribute
Cross-Functional and Client Relationships
Managing power imbalances in matrix organizations and cross-departmental collaboration
Building influence without formal authority in project management and consulting roles
Reading and responding to client power dynamics in sales and service situations
Virtual Work and Remote Power Dynamics
Maintaining executive presence and influence in video meetings and virtual presentations
Recognizing status cues that are harder to read through technology
Building and maintaining relationship power across digital communication platforms
Who Should Attend This Status and Power Dynamics Training
Perfect for:
Individual contributors and managers who want to build executive presence and workplace influence
Leaders working to create more inclusive team environments and address power imbalances
Client-facing professionals who need to navigate complex stakeholder relationships
High-potential employees being developed for senior leadership roles
Cross-functional team members who need influence without formal authority
Bay Area professionals navigating Silicon Valley's competitive and hierarchical business environment
Team Size: Up to 15 participants for optimal status practice and personalized feedback
Ready to Master Workplace Power Dynamics and Build Executive Presence?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your influence goals and how status and power dynamics training can help you navigate workplace relationships with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Dynamics Training
Q: Is this about manipulation or playing political games at work?
A: Not at all! This is about ethical influence and using power dynamics to create better outcomes for everyone. We focus on inclusion and empowerment, not manipulation.
Q: What if I'm not in a senior leadership role - can I still benefit from this training?
A: Absolutely! Power dynamics exist at every level. These skills help individual contributors build influence, navigate relationships, and advance their careers ethically.
Q: Can this work for technical teams or cultures that prefer egalitarian approaches?
A: Yes! Understanding power dynamics helps create truly egalitarian environments by recognizing and addressing hidden hierarchies that may be affecting team collaboration.
Q: How do you ensure this training promotes inclusion rather than reinforcing existing power structures?
A: Our approach specifically focuses on using status awareness to empower others, interrupt microaggressions, and create more inclusive environments where everyone can contribute.
Q: Do you offer ongoing support after the workshop?
A: Yes - all participants get 30 days of email support for real power dynamic situations, plus we can arrange follow-up coaching sessions.
Q: Do you provide power dynamics training for Bay Area companies?
A: Yes! We work with teams throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, both in-person and virtually, with content adapted for Silicon Valley's competitive yet collaborative culture.