Lunch For Success

A Modern Interpretation On Power Lunch (Where You Both Win)

Posted on 17. Dec, 2008 by Mark Cornish in Uncategorized

Does the term “Power Lunch” give you an image of rich, old white-haired men in expensive suits drinking 3 martinis and patting each other loudly on the back as they spend hundreds of dollars over one meal? If so, let me help you get current to a new and better image.

A power lunch is any lunch where each player has an agenda and a contribution to the relationship. Each person comes to the lunch to get something: to find a new hire, build a partnership, negotiate a raise, sell a product, ask for a favor, gather information, etc.

In a fantasy world, everyone is equal and power is not an issue. In the real world, that just isn’t the case. Both parties need to understand the power dynamics going in to a lunch. If I’m going to a job interview, the hiring party has something that I want – a job. In that respect, they have power over me. That isn’t a negative thing, it’s just how the world works. My job is to help them realize that I have something that they want – valuable skills, connections, reputation, etc.

When I get them to realize that I have something they want, I am showing my usefulness to the relationship. This elevates my position, as well as increases the strength of the relationship as a whole. This point is worth repeating; a successful power lunch increases the strength of the relationship as a whole. It’s not a zero-sum game; both parties at the table can, and should, help each other out. When both parties help each other out, you’ve created a win-win scenario.

Embrace the power dynamic. See it for what it is. Then, figure out how you can contribute to help increase the strength of the relationship for both of you.

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Tags: power