EP22: The Science of Personal Power with Chris Lipp

“Personal power is something that starts from the inside and radiates out,” says Chris Lipp, the author of “The Science of Personal Power.” He joins Karin Reed to discuss the core of what it really means to harness your own power. How do we influence others and lead effectively when power isn’t about titles or control but something we cultivate internally? Chris explains that personal power is rooted in our beliefs about ourselves—and how owning that can change everything.

 

Through engaging stories, including an example of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s rise to leadership, Chris shows how taking responsibility, even in tough moments, strengthens our power and earns respect. But what happens when we give our power away? Chris introduces the “four horsemen” of blame, proving ourselves, reactivity, and seeking approval—behaviors that can slowly chip away at the confidence we project. Are we inadvertently undermining our own power without even realizing it?

 

Tune in to gain practical insights on how to show up with strength in everyday situations. Whether you’re overcoming a challenging work environment or leading a team, Chris’s advice on building personal power from within is a game-changer. If you’ve ever wondered how to command respect without forcing it, this episode is for you!

 

Quotes

• “Personal power is something that starts from the inside and radiates out.” (03:14 | Chris Lipp) 
• “People who feel powerful on the inside, they take responsibility for things because they feel they have control on the outside.” (05:56 | Chris Lipp)
• “In the process of trying to persuade somebody, you’re actually showing that you lack power, and then they’re going to take you less seriously.” (08:42 | Chris Lipp)
• “Personal power is our own belief in our capability to create impact. So, it’s our belief about ourselves and our own capability to create impact. And of course, the platitude, when we believe in ourselves, we can do anything, but it's scientifically accurate, which is when we believe in ourselves, we show up differently in a way that makes everybody else believe in us.” (12:22 | Chris Lipp)
• “The more we really look to the outside and wait for the outside to empower us, the more we're actually giving our power away.” (28:55 | Chris Lipp)

 

Links

Connect with Chris Lipp:

https://courses.speakvalue.com/book-bonuses

 

Connect with Karin Reed:

Website: www.speakerdynamics.com

Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/

Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/

Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm