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The Power of Balance

The Power of Balance

By: stephen barden
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We have been sold a myth: that good, successful leaders are fiercely competitive battlers. The aggressive combative leaders we have been taught to admire actually hold a deep seated anxiety that they and their world have a profoundly unbalanced power relationship. That their world is an actual or potential threat. Drawing from his book “How successful leaders do business with their world”, as well as conversations with top leaders, author and coach-mentor Stephen Barden argues that truly successful leaders, those who act on behalf of their entire constituencies, have learned that they and their worlds are partners with a manageable power balance. That their power lies in that balance. (Theme music: "Celtic Spirit" by Julius H. from Pixabay)

© 2025 The Power of Balance
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Speakers of Truth to Power: Lt. General (retired) Ben Hodges
    Aug 12 2025

    The third guest in this special series is not someone you would immediately think of as speaking truth to power. Yet retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has consistently done just that — especially when reminding the U.S. military of its core values and allegiance to the Constitution, rather than to the interests of politicians. His worry is that the unwillingness of some of the most senior military echelons to speak out against the growing demands of the current administration is either because they are fearful of something....or they agree.

    Contact me here

    For more information about Stephen Barden and his work please visit:
    www. stephenbarden.org
    or
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbarden/


    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Speakers of Truth to Power: Razan
    Jun 25 2025

    Stephen Barden speaks to a post graduate student in Norway who, by speaking truth to power, managed to get her university in Stavanger to change a core policy.

    What has this to do with business and management?

    Everything.

    Listen carefully and it becomes clear what leaders and managers need to learn about the generation that will be running things in the next decade or so.

    Contact me here

    For more information about Stephen Barden and his work please visit:
    www. stephenbarden.org
    or
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbarden/


    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Speakers of Truth to Power: Harold Strachan
    May 18 2025

    In this first episode of a new season of the Power of Balance - focusing on Speakers of Truth to Power - Stephen Barden tells the story of Harold Strachan, a man who sacrificed all but his life when he spoke truth to the power of the Apartheid regime in South Africa.

    Stephen also invites listeners to submit their own suggestions of Truth Speakers - ordinary people who spoke up to power for the greater good.

    Contact me here

    For more information about Stephen Barden and his work please visit:
    www. stephenbarden.org
    or
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbarden/


    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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