Episode 30: Power, Accountability and Relational Leadership with Dr. Amanda Aguilera
In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Aguilera, Executive Director of the Right Use of Power Institute, to explore what it really means to understand and navigate power in our leadership, our relationships, and our systems.
Drawing on decades of experience, Amanda shares a deeply nuanced perspective on power - not as something we possess, but as a dynamic present in every interaction - and how this shift can fundamentally change the way we lead and relate.
This conversation moves beyond simplified, binary thinking and into the complexity of real leadership: the tensions between vulnerability and responsibility, the impact of power differentials, and the importance of cultivating what Amanda calls “right relationship.”
Together, we unpack how our assumptions about power shape our behaviour, our organizations, and ultimately, our ability to build trust and navigate conflict in meaningful ways.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why understanding power as a dynamic (not a possession) changes everything
- The concept of “right relationship” and why it’s never a fixed state
- How leaders can balance vulnerability with responsibility (and why both matter)
- The hidden ways power shows up through roles, status, and systems
- Practical ways to distribute power more equitably without losing accountability
- The importance of slowing down to examine mental models and assumptions
- Why doing this work in a community, not alone, is essential
If you’re a leader navigating complexity, power dynamics, or cultural change, this episode offers a powerful reframe and practical insights to support more conscious, human-centred leadership.
All episodes
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