About
“Workplaces Don’t Run On Fairness.
They Run On Power. I’ll Help You Navigate Both”
Elaine Blidgeon
Why I Do This Work
I learnt early that asking didn’t always get you what you wanted.
I was 16, working my first Saturday job in a café. Everyone started on the shop floor — waiting tables, no tips, no perks. But there were two prized positions: upstairs in the restaurant, or behind the one and only till.
Only the manager and her favourite ran the till — I knew that was out.
So I set my sights on the restaurant.
I asked once. Got a no.
So I stopped asking — and started manoeuvring.
There were four stations between me and upstairs. I studied how things worked, watched who moved where, and slowly shifted myself forward — station by station. Eventually, I got there. Not by charm. Not by title. By strategy.
What I didn’t realise then was that this wasn’t a one-off.
It was a preview of how power really works.
But somewhere along the way, I forgot that.
Like most people, I bought into the myth that hard work speaks for itself. That if you perform well, stay professional, and say the right things — you’ll be rewarded
I used to think the most capable person would rise.
That speaking up meant you were heard.
That delivering results would earn respect.
And then I found myself doing all the right things — and still getting blocked, dismissed, or side-lined
That’s when I realised: it’s not just about performance.
It’s about power.
And no one teaches you how to read that.
What I See Now
Once I started paying attention, I saw the same patterns everywhere.
- The same personalities dominating rooms without saying much.
- The same people getting ahead — not because they were the best, but because they knew how to move.
- The same silent rules about who gets listened to… and who gets left out.
I realised:
It was never really about confidence, communication, or how many hours you put in.
- It was about power
- Who had it
- How they held it
And what the rest of us were giving up by not seeing the real game.
And once I saw how things really worked — I couldn’t unsee it.
How I Help Now
I work with professionals and first-time managers who know they’re capable — but still keep getting blocked, ignored, or overruled.
They’re not struggling because they’re not good at their jobs.
They’re struggling because they’re working in systems shaped by power — not performance.
I help them decode what’s actually going on:
Who holds the influence.
What kind of power their workplace rewards.
And where they’ve been giving up leverage without realising it.
I’m not here to hand you a confidence boost.
I’m here to hand you a map.
Because once you can read the power, the people, and the politics — you stop playing blindly.
And you start making moves that actually work.
What I Believe
- Most people aren’t underperforming — they’re underpowered.
It’s not about skill. It’s about access, perception, and knowing how the game is played.
- Workplaces run on power — but no one teaches you how to read it.
Until you do, you’ll keep second-guessing yourself instead of adjusting your moves.
- You don’t need to be louder. You need to be sharper.
Strategy beats volume. Every time.
- You can be decent and still play smart.
This isn’t about manipulation — it’s about clarity. And clarity protects you.
- Power isn’t dirty. Abuse of power is.
But power itself? That’s how you protect your energy, your voice, and your outcomes.
- If you can’t name the dynamic, you can’t shift it.
Once you can see it, you can move differently — and that’s where real change starts.
- Strategy isn’t cold. It’s the most respectful way to handle complexity.
Because it stops you wasting moves — and keeps you grounded while others spiral
Ready to Move Smarter?
If you’re tired of second-guessing, misreading the room, or always being the one who plays fair while others play for power — let’s map what’s really going on.
Strategic Power Mapping
One session. A full breakdown of the people, politics, and patterns shaping your outcomes — and what to do next.
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