Losing Power: Am I Still Relevant?
By LeaderWise staff
It’s rarely publicized. Too vulnerable to speak. Yet, it’s real.
Leaders of all stripes—religious and nonprofit, community and corporate—share that there are critical moments along their career paths when they notice a loss of power in their leadership. An unexpected question surfaces: “Am I still relevant?”
Working especially with faith leaders over the last fifty years, we at LeaderWise hear repeating stories—whether through 1:1 accompaniment or in group consultations:
I step into the pulpit. The sanctuary is half full, but the silence feels heavier than it did in times when it was packed. Not for the first time, I realize that I am no longer the first voice people turn to. Sometimes, not even a necessary one. Yet, the weight of their lives hasn’t diminished at all. If anything, it’s grown. So what exactly has been lost?
I am sitting in the basement of a congregation with mostly empty folding chairs. I remember when meetings like this ran out of space—when neighbors and activists packed shoulder to shoulder, waiting for direction. The urgency hasn’t disappeared—it’s just… moved. The pathways of influence have shifted. When the movement no longer runs through me … what does it mean to lead?
I’ve noticed the shift when I enter a hospital room and am introduced as the chaplain. A few nods. A polite smile. Then the conversation moves on without me. I offer a prayer, but no one is listening. If no one is asking for what I carry … is it still needed?
Unpacking loss of power
To lose power means that your ability to determine outcomes diminishes. Losing power is the erosion of a leader’s capacity to influence. It often signals a decline in effectiveness due to disengagement, slow decision-making, or insecure, autocratic behavior, ultimately eroding follower trust and triggering a collapse in authority. To lose power is not to lose your voice; it is to lose your ability to decide when your voice matters.
And mattering matters to leaders. Mattering matters to all human beings.
The danger isn’t the loss of power itself—it’s how leaders react or respond to the loss of power. That moment of awareness of a loss of power can quietly bend a leader’s instincts in ways that undermine both their leadership and integrity. Because a perceived loss of power too often results in self-serving behaviors. Some reactions we’ve witnessed include:
A tightened grip: As a leader’s anxiety skyrockets, so does the anxiety in the system. Suddenly, the leader is trying to control more and more factors. It can feel justified—things are slipping—but tightened control usually accelerates the loss.
A push for more, more, more: When power fades, leaders often try to reclaim it by being seen more. More programming. More communication. More presence in every space. But visibility isn’t the same as impact. In fact, overexposure can dilute a leader’s voice and make it easier to ignore.
Withdrawal: “No one’s listening anyway.” This can look like humility, but it’s often quiet resignation.
Growing resentment toward other leaders: There’s a temptation to diminish other leaders, especially new leaders, which isolates the leader from the exact relationships that could extend their influence.
In our accompaniment of leaders, we help them face the choice before them: Will they cling to what is fading? … Or learn to steward what remains?
The instinct in this moment is to recover what’s slipping. That’s usually the wrong goal. Trying to get power back often costs a leader the very thing that still makes their leadership meaningful. A better frame is: How do I lead well under new conditions? In next week’s article we’ll share four ways to shape your response to a sense of powerlessness.
In addition to learning through this article series, you’re invited to explore the topic of power during our free April 30 Learning Hour presented by Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi. Register here for this free learning opportunity.
