“With great power comes great responsibility.”
I’m sure you know this quote. Uncle Ben imbued this advice to Spider Man just before he died. (I’m fairly sure that Theodore Roosevelt and Voltaire may have also said this. But let’s be honest, Marvel knows how to sell it.)
Just about everyone knows that quote. And just about everyone wants more power. In corporate, that looks like a raise, promotion, more responsibility, opportunities for impact, visibility and leadership.
But there is an unspoken side of the quote that very few people are aware of.
“…With no power comes no responsibility.”
And while most people want the first side of this quote, they live and act from the other side.
Some time ago I was working with an executive at one of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.
She asked me if I could come run a training for her off-site, but told me she had zero budget.
I told her that I would offer a reduced fee of $10k for the training. She told me that she understood the value, but didn’t have the budget.
I replied, “Then ask for the budget.”
I could see her freeze and tense up. She was afraid to ask. We’re talking about a woman with a multiple six-figure salary who manages a seven-number budget and leads 100+ employees across the globe.
I knew that one of her primary challenges was not actually owning who she was as a leader. And that this had nothing to do with the budget or the money for my workshop. It was about her seeing an opportunity to take responsibility for being the leader she wanted to be and claiming it. Most people work their asses off for recognition. That’s because it’s easier to kill yourself and beg for validation than to take the responsibility of claiming recognition.
Most people want the power of leadership because of the respect and impact that comes with it.
But that’s not something that comes after the title. It’s how you earn the title.
By asking.
In the micro moments, day to day, when you can ask for permission or take on the responsibility of demonstrating the value of your request.
Stop approaching your bosses like you’re asking your parents for more lunch money.
Start approaching every request like a business proposal.
Leaders create impact because they aren’t afraid of the awkward moments, tough conversations, confrontations and risks.
They know this is the responsibility they take on when they take on the role of leader.
With great power comes great responsibility.
With no power comes no responsibility.
But taking on responsibility is also where you claim your power.
One of the primary hesitations people have in coming to The Academy is that they’re afraid to ask their company to pay for it, or to take time off.
Whether or not you come to the Academy, see your desire as a reason to ask.
A place to grow.
To take on responsibility.
Claim your power.
Even the ask itself will elevate you as a leader.
You’ve got this.
With love,
Mari Carmen
P.S. My client did ask. And they said yes.
