The Symphony of Power: A Reflection on Agency, Reciprocity, and Collective Impact

Power.

Five letters. A noun and a verb. Unlimited potential.

In recent months, I’ve been knocked over more times than I can count — sometimes literally but more often spiritually, by the unrelenting ping of a news feed that rarely pauses. These moments have led me to reflect on the concept of power: how we think of it, how we share it, and how we’re impacted by it — consciously or not.

The three most powerful moments of my life were holding my daughters as they took their first breaths on earth, and when I sat by the side of a dear friend as he took his last. Those moments, in their stillness and beauty, had a profound impact on who I am today. But power is not confined to life’s crescendos. It resides in all the beautiful in-between moments as well — in our daily choices, our interactions. If we pay attention, power can be found in both the sounds and the silence.

We are impacted by others’ power every day — and we, in turn, shape the lives around us, often without realizing it.

Recognizing Power in Ourselves and Others

Do we notice? Do we do so with purpose? Are we agents of our power or victims?

Too often, we think of power as binary: one is either powerful or powerless. This either/or understanding of power can stem from both the political and economic dynamics we face in this moment, as well as from the historically unequal distribution of power across our society. Acknowledging that truth is critical, especially from the seat of privilege I was afforded because of this disparity.

And we must also recognize the power each of us holds — uniquely and sometimes quietly, but persistently. It’s the power to affect our families, communities, organizations, and systems. Each of us holds power that can be harnessed toward a more just and humane world, if we choose to use it.

In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us that we live in a reciprocal relationship with everything and everyone around us. Every day we contribute to the world, both positively and negatively, whether we notice it or not. Our thoughts, words, and actions create ripple effects. This is your unique power. We therefore have a responsibility to be mindful in how we wield it.

Tools for Collective and Personal Activation

At the Bainum Family Foundation, we’ve been thinking deeply about power over the past several years. We have leveraged NCRP's Power Moves resource to co-create with our community partners an understanding of how we should most responsibly wield, yield, and share power alongside them. We’ve tapped into Deepa Iyer's frameworks on ecosystem roles and Manifestations of Power and Spheres of Influence to understand how we can most effectively harness our unique power as funders to advance equitable systems change.

These tools aren’t just for institutions. They’re deeply relevant at the individual level, too.

Not sure where your power lies? Wondering how you can contribute meaningfully in a moment that often feels overwhelming? Here’s your call to action: Take a few moments to apply these tools and insights to critically examine the unique power and profile you hold within the social change ecosystem to make the world a more just and humane place:

I would be remiss to make such a bold call to action without acknowledging the very present and draining political atmosphere we find ourselves in. A sustained lack of connection, compassion, and progress can wear on us — mentally, physically, and emotionally. I see it in the eyes of my colleagues and friends. Burnout is real. The weight of social impact work — of simply navigating our current conditions — is pervasive.

And yet, my innate stubbornness and optimism remind me that despite what we are experiencing and witnessing — indeed, because of it — we must continue to act from the unshakeable belief that we can do and be better with and for all our fellow humans. 

Power in Concert

That’s where the concept of Power in Concert comes in. Historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt reminds us that:

“Power corresponds to the human ability not just to act, but to act in concert.”

When we consider this in connection with Robin Wall Kimmerer’s ideas on reciprocity, these insights offer a path forward. When we act together — intentionally and relationally — we find power, beauty, and healing in concert. We magnify our individual contributions. And we can find restoration in community. 

Though this journey to arrive at an equitable and humane sharing of power feels like both a sprint and a marathon, we are better served to think of it more as a symphony — one that spans generations. Like each instrument in a Broadway orchestra, each of us plays a distinct and important role in creating the world we hope for. We don’t need to play every note, nor should we try, and it’s often not as effective when we all play at once. Melodies rise and fall. Harmony requires listening. We need melody, harmony, and thoughtful silence in the symphony we are composing. Even in silence, our hearts carry the rhythm forward.

To quote a wise woman of the stage (who some may call a witch):

I'm through accepting limits,

'Cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change, but till I try I’ll never know.

Think of what we could do, together

Unlimited,

Together, we're unlimited!

(You know you sang this part!)

Keep Playing

The truth is: injustice thrives on complacency and fear. A more just and humane system requires empathy, courage, and persistence. Don’t lose yours.

Our ability to act in concert will define whether we rise to meet the highest potential of our shared humanity. So:

• Play, sing, or hum your unique notes.

• Push when you can.

• Rest when you need to — and let someone else carry the melody for a while.

• Listen to what’s being played around you.

• Lean into the harmony of shared efforts.

• Share your learning with others.

• Ask for help when you need it and offer it when you can. 

We are each responsible for the world we seek — and the power to shape it has always been ours.

So, take stock. Tap into your strengths and passions. Lean into the collective. Take a pause when needed. Breathe deeply.

Then let’s keep playing — powerfully, together.