The first time I heard Kinetic’s tagline, Unleashing Your Power of Philanthropy, I loved it.

It felt expansive, hopeful and deeply client-focused. The idea of unleashing of our personal power, trusting it and putting it to work sounded exciting, purposeful and, well … powerful.

At Kinetic, we naturally spend much of our energy on the philanthropy side of that phrase. But lately, I’ve been thinking more about power itself. Who holds it? How is it earned? And how does it quietly, or boldly, shape the world around us?

Power shows up in many places, some obvious and some unexpected. Leadership has power. So does beauty and truth, compassion and conviction, anger and rage. Power can be confident, visible and decisive. It can also be quiet, vulnerable and honest. Sometimes, the most enduring power is simply steady.

Recently, I attended an intimate donor appreciation gathering in Rogers, Arkansas, in the home of Dawn and Greg Spragg, co-founders of Teen Action and Support Center. More than twenty years ago, they established TASC out of sheer determination and care for teens facing mental health challenges. What began as an act of courage has grown into a vital and expanding community resource.

During the evening, Dawn and Greg shared a few heartfelt remarks about the increasing needs of teens and families. They thanked the board and campaign leaders with sincerity and humility. Glasses were raised with nods of mutual respect and admiration.

Then, in an unplanned moment, TASC board member Jim Corbett stood to speak. He said he joined the board because of Dawn. “I don’t know many people who know, without question, the hill they would die on,” he said. “But she does.” He admitted he wasn’t sure he knew what his own hill was. But Dawn’s clarity, passion and resolve made him want to follow her anywhere.

That’s power.

I’ve been fortunate to work with many people who possess power and use it to make the world a better place. They are leaders whose power isn’t claimed, but earned. Their power is evident, gained through extraordinary vision and persistence. They show up, take the next step, and show others the way.

Power is choosing and acting on the human, authentic, and worthy thing. And, then, persevering. It’s about unleashing power, including the power of philanthropy, beginning with our own.