Pfeffer on Power: “Acting With Power and Using Your Influence with Deborah Gruenfeld”

If/Then: Research findings to help us navigate complex issues in business, leadership, and society

As leaders rise and hierarchies shift, Stanford GSB organizational behavior professor Deborah Gruenfeld, guest in season one of If/Then, reminds us that power is not just about authority—it’s about presence. In this special feed drop from Pfeffer on Power, Gruenfeld, author of Acting With Power, revisits topics featured in her If/Then episode, exploring how body language and mindset can shape perceptions of influence. “We’re all playing roles,” she explains, whether as CEOs, professors, or professionals navigating high-stakes environments. The key, she says, lies in mastering both "inside-out" techniques—such as reframing internal narratives—and "outside-in" strategies, like commanding physical space to exude confidence.

Host Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor of organizational behavior at the GSB, and Gruenfeld discuss how power dynamics transcend culture and context, offering universal lessons for anyone looking to lead with impact. “Don’t leave power to the bad guys,” Gruenfeld advises, urging listeners to embrace their own potential for influence. This episode provides actionable insights to help you show up powerfully in any room, especially when the stakes are high. As the conversation unfolds, Pfeffer and Gruenfeld challenge us to think differently about power—not as a privilege, but as a responsibility to shape better outcomes for ourselves and others.

Jeffrey Pfeffer will be a guest on the second season of If/Then.

Pfeffer on Power is Produced by University FM. For a full transcript of this episode, visit the Pfeffer on Power’s website.

More Resources:

• Deborah Gruenfeld, faculty profile
• Deborah’s Book: Acting with Power
• Pfeffer on Power

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Jeffrey Pfeffer introduces guest Professor Deborah Gruenfeld from Stanford GSB.

(00:01:45) First Impressions and Body Language

How people make snap judgments based on appearance and nonverbal cues.

(00:03:25) Change How You Show Up

The possibility of reframing behavior to project more confidence and authority.

(00:06:33) Showing Up with Power

Two approaches for appearing more authoritative and powerful.

(00:08:53) Inside-Out Power

Reframing internal narratives to project power, even in moments of insecurity.

(00:11:32) Outside-In Power

Techniques for using body language to command authority.

(00:14:00) Physical and Social Dynamics

How occupying space communicates dominance and influence.

(00:17:06) Unconscious Reactions to Power

Whether power dynamics are consistent across cultures and time.

(00:20:32) Ambivalence Toward Power

Why some individuals are reluctant to embrace power.

(00:24:47) Ethical Leaders in Power

The importance of ethical individuals embracing power to prevent its misuse by others.

(00:28:14) Conclusion

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