Who's Really in Charge Here? Spotting the Power Plays That Make Group Dynamics Tricky, with Jack Mason-Goodall

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You’re at a project kickoff meeting and the energy is high. Your manager looks around the room…their gaze lands on you.  You’re told you’ll be handling logistics - keeping everyone organized. Meanwhile, everyone else gets assigned the creative, high-visibility tasks that could actually advance their careers.

Or you’re at a neighborhood meeting planning an upcoming block party. You notice the same three people dominating the discussion while others,  like the new family who just moved in and the elderly couple from the corner house, sit quietly, occasionally nodding but never quite finding space to contribute their ideas.

Whether it's boardrooms, community meetings, family, or friend groups, unspoken power dynamics shape every interaction. Some voices dominate while others quietly carry the weight. The problem isn't that people are trying to be unfair — it's that we're all operating within invisible systems of rank and privilege that we rarely acknowledge, let alone address.

While these situations can feel delicate, the truth is that there IS a healthy, productive way to navigate them.

It is possible to create more equitable spaces without blowing up the room.

This week, Karlee is back with Jack Mason-Goodall, a UK-based psychologist who works in both clinical therapy and organizational consulting. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the power structures that either fuel collaboration or leave some people feeling silent resentment (while others remain blissfully unaware).

You’ll learn the four distinct types of rank that operate in every group setting and why understanding them is crucial for healthy collaboration. You'll learn why talking about power feels so uncomfortable and how to move past that discomfort to create real change. You'll also walk away with practical strategies for addressing power imbalances without burning bridges or burning yourself out, whether you're the one feeling sidelined or the one with privilege who wants to be a better ally.

If you're ready to stop feeling powerless in groups and start shifting dynamics for everyone's benefit, regardless of where you sit on the privilege spectrum, then this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(11:15) The four types of rank that shape group dynamics

(14:34) How privilege comfortably takes up space

(20:10) The real reason talking about rank and privilege feels so uncomfortable

(26:53) How to address situations where your influence feels minimized

(31:38) Practical first steps for addressing unspoken power dynamics

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Free Download:The Power Plays You Didn’t See Coming: A Quick Guide to Spotting Rank and Privilege in Groups (and What to Do About It)

Connect with Jack Mason-Goodall, BSc., MA, MBACP, MBPsS:

LinkedIn

AutismOptimismInternational.com
Focused on relationship‑based play therapy, autism family support, coaching for parents, professionals, and businesses

HowToBeUs.com
Offers individual and group psychotherapy/coaching committed to inclusivity (LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti‑oppressive)

Connect With Karlee: