Power and our perspectives

In 2021, Alleyne& partnered with the Barbican and BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity and hosted a series of online events co-curated by cultural thinker Suzanne Alleyne, titled 'Can We Talk About Power?' The poignant conversations are now live and available for all to watch and enjoy for free. I sat down with my notebook and pen for a deep dive into perspectives on power and the neuropsychology behind it.

Power is all around us, in every inter-personal dynamic we are subjected to. Power is in our politics, our families, our workplaces, our education system, our friendships, our own self-image. Power is this dynamic rumbling under the surface of every conversation we have, whether you are aware of its presence or not. Suzanne and her guests – Roger Robinson, Dr Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Howard Jane, Ry Morna, Dr Lisa Feldman-Barrett, Dr Tim Rittman, Dr Joy Jones, Dr Jerome Lubbe and Margaret Atwood – explore the sense of power being the ability to influence someone else, but without any real force. It's the control and authority that a being may hold that can change someone else's actions, thoughts and feelings. Aside from this, power is also having the autonomy over your own decision-making.

Your psychological stance, areas of interests, and own personal experiences with power are likely to impact what you take from these conversations. If I were to watch again, I would likely observe through another different lens, and take something else away from it.

Session 2, 'Inside Out: Your brain and power' with Dr Lisa Feldman-Barrett, opens up some great discussions around the brain, neuroscience and the workplace; playing right into my area of interest; sometimes deviating slightly from the conversation around power, although the overall sentiment shines through. Session 3 welcomes Margaret Atwood and Suzanne Alleyne in conversation. It's an eye-opening discussion around power – what it feels like to have it, have it stripped from you, and the societal perspectives. Session 5, 'Let's talk about wellbeing and power' with Dr Joy Jones, Dr Jerome Lubbe and Dr Tim Rittman, explore the impacts of power on wellbeing, and the impacts of wellbeing on power. They discuss neuroplasticity, homeostasis and holistic health when exploring the impacts of power.

Before watching this event, I had not given much thought to the connection between empathy and power; the notion that the more power you have, the less empathy you may exert. But the more empathy you weave into your power, the more impact and influence you actually may have. For leaders who manage teams, reflecting on and understanding your power, and the level of influence and authority you hold, will only improve your relationship with your team, and eventually elevate the power you have, by being aware of it. The same applies to psychological professionals, reflecting on the power you hold and your relationship with power is a key element of self-awareness that could be explored. The host Suzanne Alleyne suggests that your personal power is defining yourself, knowing yourself, and harnessing your own power rather than adopting the narrative society places upon you.

Some parts resonated with me and my understating of power, and other parts highlighted a different perspective. I highly recommend you take the time to watch the event; even just selecting the talks you feel are of most interest to you. It might just shift your perspective on power and allow you to reflect on your own relationship with it not only as psychological professional, but as a person too.

- Find more information on the event, and read our interview with Suzanne.

• Reviewed by Danielle Olliffe, Psychological Wellbeing Associate at Founders Taboo; University of Westminster.