The Clean Power Map

Step 1: Name the Situation (3 minutes)

Write one sentence:
What situation are you trying to move forward?

Keep it specific - e.g. not 'improve culture' but 'get agreement on X' or 'stop Y happening again'.

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Step 2: Stakeholder Map (8 minutes)

List the key people involved. For each one, write the following:
• His or her role (what he/she is responsible for)
• His or her influence level (high, medium or low)
• His or her stance (for, against, unsure or silent)

Include the silent ones. Silence is a stance.

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Step 3: Incentives and Protections (10 minutes)

For each stakeholder, answer two questions:
• What is he trying to protect?
• What does he visibly value or respond to?

Examples could be:
• Protecting workload, reputation, autonomy, budget, status, relationships, certainty.
• Responding to evidence, consensus, authority, speed, risk reduction, praise, stability.

Don't moralise it, but just observe it.

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Step 4: Levers (8 minutes)

Choose ONE stakeholder with high influence.
Now list 3 possible levers, each phrased as a clean action:
• A conversation that changes what he/she sees.
• A reframing that changes what the decision means.
• A small proof reducing perceived risk.

Write each lever as a verb:
• 'Show', 'Ask', 'Clarify', 'Offer', 'Demonstrate', 'Name', 'Reduce', 'Align'.

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Step 5: The Clean Move (5 minutes)

Choose the ONE lever that is:
• Honest (with no theatre)
• Small (is doable this week)
• Strategic (is likely to shift the real constraint)

Write:
My clean move is: ________
I will do it by: ________

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Operating Principles

Harden:
• Deal in reality and not fairness.
• Try not to confuse good ideas with adopted ideas.
• Choose one lever and then pull it cleanly.

Soften:
• Refuse contempt as a leadership style.
• Assume people are protecting something, not just being difficult.
• Keep your move proportionate and human.

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Reflection Question

What did you stop pretending once you drew the map, and what is your clean move this week?