No matter your rank in the workplace, it’s likely that your sense of authority rises and falls throughout the day — depending on who you’re meeting with, what you’re working on, and how you’re feeling.
Research has shown that these shifts cause stress, so it’s best to avoid multiple fluctuations each day. One way to do this is to cluster tasks.
Review your calendar from the past week and consider which meetings or activities prompted you to feel more and less powerful. Going forward, try to cluster tasks that give you a sense of authority, like giving advice or meeting with a direct report, on the same day of the week if possible. Similarly, group tasks on your calendar that are likely to make you feel less important — like asking for help or talking to your supervisor.
You probably don’t have control over how busy you are, but you likely have some control over when certain experiences occur during the work week. It can also help to lean into a routine: arrive and leave work at the same time each day, set aside the first 15 minutes to plan your day, or stick to regular break intervals. Routines increase the predictability of your workflow (decreasing fluctuations).
Finally, try to think of yourself differently. Instead of seeing yourself as a “boss” or “direct report,” embrace your identity as a “problem solver,” “relationship builder,” or “change enabler.” These labels will shift your focus away from power dynamics and toward your work.
Harvard Business Review
