Power is a one way mirror.
The power dynamic is generally invisible to the person with power.
You can maybe get a gimpse if you go right up to the mirror and look closely. If you’re brave enough to press your face against it, you can see a dim view of what is behind it.
Usually the person with more power is shocked to learn there was a power dynamic because they didn’t know it existed. They have to go more out of their way to notice it exists.
A man might be flabbergasted with what a woman has to deal with. A white person might be confused with the amount of things a black person has to worry about on a road trip through the USA.
The person with more power in a situation has to check in regularly. Fortunately there’s no such thing as having too much empathy.
Even if presented with an earnest question, the person with relatively less power may have to lie. The person with more power may have no idea that’s what they are doing.
If your boss wants to know what you think of their idea before a meeting. Or wants to know if you are interested in a date.
They may prefer everyone is honest but that doesn’t matter when there’s an obvious power dynamic the other person.
On a higher level, some industries naturally have more power over others.
Generally, politics is at the top. Followed by business owners, followed by celebrities, followed by Academia, and finally individuals.
China can instantly shut down their richest business man Jack Ma in an instant.
The CEO of a company can blacklist a celebrity and hurt their sponsorships.
A major celebrity may not realize they have an inherent power to another random individual when they DM them on instagram. But they can also associate with a university for an honorary degree for themselves and admission for their kid.
Every time there is a change up the chain it’s creates an opportunity down
Every government change creates business opportunities. Changes in business create opportunities for celebrities. And so on. All the way to the individual.