Why Power, Not Just Competence, Shapes Workplace Communication

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You explain your idea in a meeting. Silence. A few minutes later, someone more senior than you repeats the same idea—and suddenly, it’s brilliant.

Sound familiar? This frustrating dynamic happens in workplaces everywhere. If communication were just about quality and clarity, this problem wouldn’t happen. But in reality, power dynamics shape whose voice gets heard.

Power Dynamics: The Unspoken Factor in Communication

Workplace communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about who has the authority to be listened to. Key factors at play:

* Title & Status – Senior leaders’ words carry more weight, even if their competency is not greater.
* Technical vs. Business Priorities – Engineers focus on feasibility; execs care about impact.
* Personality & Influence – Politically savvy individuals tend to get more airtime.

Ignoring these dynamics means:

❌ Your ideas get overlooked.
❌ You over-explain to prove expertise, weakening your authority.
❌ You hold back to avoid conflict, missing key opportunities, or you become louder, undermining your reputation.

Reclaiming Power: How to Build Credibility & Attunement

Even without formal authority, you can increase your influence through how you communicate.

✅ Frame Your Message Around What Matters to Decision-Makers – Tie insights to business impact.
✅ Listen and Ask Strategic Questions – Instead of defending, guide the conversation with well-placed questions and adjust accordingly.
✅ Use Credibility Signals – A steady tone, strategic pausing, and concise framing build credibility.
✅ Own Your Expertise Without Over-Explaining – Confidence is about precision, not excessive detail.

✅ Attune to Power Players Using the Enneagram – Different personalities process information differently; here are some example:

  • Type 3 (Efficiency-Driven Executives) → Lead with success metrics and ROI.

  • Type 5 (Logical Analysts) → Provide well-reasoned insights without fluff.

  • Type 8 (Assertive Leaders) → Get to the point and project strength.

  • Type 9 (Consensus Seekers) → Emphasize collaboration and alignment.

Your Experience?

Have you seen power dynamics shape workplace communication? What strategies help you get heard?