The Learn-It-All Podcast
142: Why Most Leaders Misuse Power—And How to Fix It | Zoe Routh
Power Games: How Leaders Navigate the Workplace Dynamics of Power
Are power games undermining your leadership and sabotaging your team's performance?
In this thought-provoking episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, host Damon Lembi interviews leadership expert Zoë Routh about her forthcoming book Power Games and the complex dynamics of power in the workplace. According to Zoë 's research, power games exist in 100% of workplaces, and even well-intentioned leaders can fall prey to their destructive behaviors. Throughout their conversation, Damon and Zoë explore how leaders can recognize the warning signs of unhealthy power dynamics, implement strategies to foster healthy team environments, and shift from "hero leadership" to collaborative approaches that distribute power more effectively.
This Episode Covers:
- Why people are uncomfortable with the word "power" but eagerly seek "influence,"
- How power can be "a torch to light the way, not a sword to cut people down"
- The four spheres of power that leaders must understand to master their own power usage
- The five shadow archetypes of leadership (tyrant, manipulator, bully, fanatic, gambler) and how these destructive patterns emerge
- Why transparency is one of the most powerful tools for preventing tyranny and manipulation in organizations
- The five components of high-performing teams (purpose, performance, structure, strength, and safety) that can minimize power games
- Practical strategies for approaching leaders who are beginning to display tyrant-like behaviors
Episode Highlights:
00:01 – Why Leaders Struggle with Power – How power is often seen as negative, but when used correctly, it fosters trust and collaboration.
06:25 – What Are Power Games? – Zoe defines toxic workplace behaviors like manipulation, credit-stealing, and backstabbing.
12:18 – The Five Shadow Archetypes of Leadership – Why even great leaders can unintentionally fall into toxic behaviors.
19:45 – How to Identify and Disrupt Power Games – The subtle signs of dysfunction and how leaders can audit their teams.
28:30 – Why Transparency Prevents Power Struggles – How openness in decision-making discourages manipulation and abuse of power.
33:50 – Avoiding the ‘Yes-Person’ Problem – Why leaders must create a culture where people feel safe challenging authority.
42:06 – The Future of Leadership is Collaboration – How shifting from ‘hero leadership’ to collective leadership minimizes power struggles.
About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist and award-winning author who helps executives navigate uncertain horizons with clarity and confidence. Her book People Stuff won Australian Business Book of the Year in 2020, and her forthcoming Power Games explores workplace power dynamics based on her 30+ years of leadership expertise. As host of "The Future of Leadership Podcast," she shares big ideas on the future of leadership with global audiences. Zoë's approach combines strategic foresight with practical frameworks for CEOs and leadership teams in multiple industries. Her unique background includes wilderness expedition leadership and corporate advisory, giving her distinctive insights into high-performing teams. A cancer survivor and adventurist, Zoë brings both wisdom and real-world experience to her work helping leaders create collaborative, transparent organizational cultures.
Resources Referenced:
Zoë Routh on LinkedIn
The Future of Leadership Podcast
Free Shadow Archetypes Counter Moves handout for podcast listeners
People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems, An Advanced Handbook for Leadership by Zoë Routh
Power Games - A Leader’s Guide to Office Politics and Drama-Free Collaboration by Zoë Routh
Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (Author)
Podcast Contact Information
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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