On Monday 9th May 2022 PropelHer’s Book Club discussed Acting with Power by Deborah Gruenfeld.
In this summary of Acting with Power by Deborah Gruenfeld I’ll be briefly summarising the book to help you to make a decision about whether you should buy a copy of the book for yourself.
Acting with Power by Deborah Gruenfeld is split into 4 parts:
Introduction: The Problem with Power
PART I: When the Curtain Goes Up
PART II: The Two Faces of Power
PART III: Taking the Stage
PART IV: Understanding Abuses of Power, and How to Stop Them
Now that the reader is clear on exactly what power is and isn’t, Part II: The Two Faces of Power discusses how everyone can play power up or play power down. Both playing power up and playing power down are discussed in detail so you understand what it means, why you would do it and then the tactics you can use.
Part III: Taking the Stage focuses on real-life situations. Firstly, Deborah discusses how an individual gets into character (as themselves) and the importance of ensuring you are playing the role you need to play within a group properly so everyone else knows how to perform their role. Then, the focus shifts to when you are supporting someone and how to do that in a helpful way.. Then finally, the focus is on how to act when you are in the lead position.
Unfortunately, power has a bad name in some circles and for good reasons. Power can be abused and rather than ignoring this Deborah faces it head on in the final part of the book, Part IV: Understanding Abuses of Power, and How to Stop Them. This part of the book discusses when power corrupts and when it doesn’t (spoiler alert – it doesn’t have to corrupt you). And then for when it does corrupt people Deborah shares top tips for dealing with bullies. Then to end the book on a more positive note Deborah discusses how to use power in a good way when you are in the lead, but focusing on the group rather than just yourself.
That’s it! You now have an idea about what you can expect to find inside of Acting with Power by Deborah Gruenfeld
Like the sound of Acting with Power? Why not buy a copy of the book and read it yourself?
Buy your copy of Acting with Power by Deborah Gruenfeld (and support local bookshops) or Amazon.
Acting With Power was read as part of PropelHer’s Book Club. PropelHer’s Book Club is an online non-fiction book club for ambitious women that meet monthly. Every month PropelHer’s Book Club reads a different book to help ambitious women concentrate on their personal development and professional success. You can see what else we have read so far here. If you would like to join PropelHer’s Book Club you can find full details here.
And don’t forget to share your book pictures! Tag @Propelherorg or use the hashtag #PropelHer
