Power Reimagined

Joanne Lockwood is joined by global leadership and DEI consultant Jason Patten to examine why conversations about power and privilege so often stall, and what it takes to make them constructive. They unpack how myths of meritocracy, defensiveness, and fear of loss can prevent people from recognising the systems that distribute power unevenly.

Drawing on intercultural leadership, Jason shares practical tools for focusing on behaviours (like communication styles) as an entry point into harder discussions about identity and inequity. Through a workplace story about mismatched communication preferences, the pair explore “bridging” as a skill—especially the responsibility of those with greater power and privilege to adapt, build trust, and create conditions where others can contribute without masking or code-switching.

The conversation widens to include how social constructs shape in‑group/out‑group thinking, why change can feel painfully slow, and how leaders can still act meaningfully within their spheres of influence. Jason also references his book, Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World, as a framework for turning awareness of power into everyday inclusive leadership practices.