Release Date October 10, 2023
by North Atlantic Books
ABOUT HOW TO HOLD POWER
Essential skills for today’s leaders: learn how to embody your ethics, earn your team’s trust, and dismantle toxic work culture
Leaders and managers everywhere are learning the importance of creating safe, satisfying workplaces rooted in principles of social justice. But many of us who try to lead with ethics and integrity struggle with embracing a position of power and authority. You might worry about “being bossy,” unintentionally disrespecting others, or making the wrong call—and in the process, put your mind and body under so much stress that you burn out.
Somatic educator and coach Pavini Moray argues that the secret to being an ethical, inspirational boss is rooted in our own bodies. In more than 30 simple exercises, reflections, and daily practices, you’ll learn how to:
Drawing from client case studies and their own experience as a manager, Moray teaches foundational embodiment practices—breath, grounding, observing, centering, and moving—through concrete examples that show how to use these skills in a variety of common workplace settings. By learning to practice embodied leadership presence, you can become a boss who truly listens to your employees; leads with inspiration; and brings your whole self to work every day.
Essential skills for today’s leaders: learn how to embody your ethics, earn your team’s trust, and dismantle toxic work culture
Leaders and managers everywhere are learning the importance of creating safe, satisfying workplaces rooted in principles of social justice. But many of us who try to lead with ethics and integrity struggle with embracing a position of power and authority. You might worry about “being bossy,” unintentionally disrespecting others, or making the wrong call—and in the process, put your mind and body under so much stress that you burn out.
Somatic educator and coach Pavini Moray argues that the secret to being an ethical, inspirational boss is rooted in our own bodies. In more than 30 simple exercises, reflections, and daily practices, you’ll learn how to:
- Nurture trust with clients and coworkers
- Ground and re-center when you’re thrown off by a mistake or problem
- Soothe the “Ouch!” of negative feedback
- Break away from grind and hustle culture
- Turn workplace conflict into a source of positive change and growth
- Help your employees voice their own needs and feel heard
- Understand the nuances of consent beyond contract negotiations
- Gracefully acknowledge mistakes
- Repair relationships with employees, colleagues, and clients
Drawing from client case studies and their own experience as a manager, Moray teaches foundational embodiment practices—breath, grounding, observing, centering, and moving—through concrete examples that show how to use these skills in a variety of common workplace settings. By learning to practice embodied leadership presence, you can become a boss who truly listens to your employees; leads with inspiration; and brings your whole self to work every day.
ADVANCE PRAISE
“This book addresses one of the biggest challenges of leadership: how to hold on to your humanity while maintaining empathy for those you lead, all while meeting your bottom line. Written with clarity and warmth, the book shares best practices through powerful examples and transformative, easy-to-access exercises.” --Nir Eyal, author of Hooked and Indistractable
“Perfectly timed and necessary reading for today’s leaders. How to Hold Power is filled with inspiring insights, stories, and practical exercises to implement right away. Reading this book feels like Pavini Moray is sitting calmly beside you, ushering you on a journey to becoming a more grounded, impactful, and sought-out leader. Highly recommend this book!”
Carrie Melissa Jones, community builder, entrepreneur, and community management consultant
“This book offers a roadmap to becoming a leader that people love. Weaving experiential practice with hard-won insight, Pavini has written a book that will be indispensable for anyone who wants to lead in a powerful, embodied way.”
David Treleaven, PhD, author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness
“Drawing from decades of experience in somatics, Pavini breaks leadership down into its most essential components: boundaries, consent, and listening. Chock full of effective and practical suggestions for how to deal with workplace triggers and conflict, How to Hold Power will help you develop a meaningful leadership practice. Filled with compassion and wisdom, this book is a must-read book for every leader who wants to hold their power with skills and grace.”
Becky Margiotta, author of Impact with Integrity: Repair the World Without Breaking Yourself and cofounder of the Billions Institute
“Pavini offers a unique voice in the world of embodied leadership. They can only be described as one who has great courage and has worked hard to accomplish and realize what it means to be embodied in truth and wholeness. Breaking down a system to understand how to realize this is an invaluable offering to the world at a time when it is deeply needed.”
Lucia Horan, 5Rhythms Lineage holder and Executive Somatic Coach
“Pavini Moray is compassionate about the pressures those in positions of leadership face, having lived those pressures, while at the same time holding those leaders to a high standard. The book shows how a path of development based on connecting to our sensations and emotions allows us to be better bosses. In addition, it remains practical and grounded and provides leaders a set of practices to be the bosses they aspire to be. It is a must-read!”
Pete Hamill, PhD, senior teacher at Strozzi Institute and founder of Uncommon Leaders Ltd
“With a balance of personal stories, humor, and notes on somatic leadership, Pavini Moray delivers an easy-to-read book that will benefit a wide range of folks at every level of leadership.”
Meredith Broome, Master Somatic Coach
“How to Hold Power is a practical and invaluable guide that is accessible, down-to-earth, insightful, and honest. It will help readers transform the way they lead and the way they live their lives. If you are ready to rethink your relationship to leadership and power, to lead with compassion and empathy, to strengthen your communication and listening skills, and to work on creating and honoring boundaries, read this book, work through its exercises, and be ready to become a boss or leader that inspires others.”
Jennifer Lenhart, owner and lead teacher at Satsang Yoga Studio, Berea, OH
“By combining content with real-time practices, Dr. Moray lays out an easy-to-follow roadmap that guides the reader on a journey of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and finally, self-leadership—skills that any boss must master before they can lead others. How to Hold Power is sure to become an essential resource for any boss who wants to pursue personal growth toward more conscious leadership.
Michelle Coyle, president of BGSD Strategies
“Dr. Pavini Moray has crafted a mind and heart-opening journey of discovery for anyone in the world of work and beyond. How to Hold Power belongs alongside all of your best business and management books, and by your bedside. For the business leader, you will get immediate practices that open avenues of empathy and vision. For visionaries, you will find delightful pathways to patience, presence and perseverance.”
Steven Hoskinson, founder of Organic Intelligence
“This book addresses one of the biggest challenges of leadership: how to hold on to your humanity while maintaining empathy for those you lead, all while meeting your bottom line. Written with clarity and warmth, the book shares best practices through powerful examples and transformative, easy-to-access exercises.” --Nir Eyal, author of Hooked and Indistractable
“Perfectly timed and necessary reading for today’s leaders. How to Hold Power is filled with inspiring insights, stories, and practical exercises to implement right away. Reading this book feels like Pavini Moray is sitting calmly beside you, ushering you on a journey to becoming a more grounded, impactful, and sought-out leader. Highly recommend this book!”
Carrie Melissa Jones, community builder, entrepreneur, and community management consultant
“This book offers a roadmap to becoming a leader that people love. Weaving experiential practice with hard-won insight, Pavini has written a book that will be indispensable for anyone who wants to lead in a powerful, embodied way.”
David Treleaven, PhD, author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness
“Drawing from decades of experience in somatics, Pavini breaks leadership down into its most essential components: boundaries, consent, and listening. Chock full of effective and practical suggestions for how to deal with workplace triggers and conflict, How to Hold Power will help you develop a meaningful leadership practice. Filled with compassion and wisdom, this book is a must-read book for every leader who wants to hold their power with skills and grace.”
Becky Margiotta, author of Impact with Integrity: Repair the World Without Breaking Yourself and cofounder of the Billions Institute
“Pavini offers a unique voice in the world of embodied leadership. They can only be described as one who has great courage and has worked hard to accomplish and realize what it means to be embodied in truth and wholeness. Breaking down a system to understand how to realize this is an invaluable offering to the world at a time when it is deeply needed.”
Lucia Horan, 5Rhythms Lineage holder and Executive Somatic Coach
“Pavini Moray is compassionate about the pressures those in positions of leadership face, having lived those pressures, while at the same time holding those leaders to a high standard. The book shows how a path of development based on connecting to our sensations and emotions allows us to be better bosses. In addition, it remains practical and grounded and provides leaders a set of practices to be the bosses they aspire to be. It is a must-read!”
Pete Hamill, PhD, senior teacher at Strozzi Institute and founder of Uncommon Leaders Ltd
“With a balance of personal stories, humor, and notes on somatic leadership, Pavini Moray delivers an easy-to-read book that will benefit a wide range of folks at every level of leadership.”
Meredith Broome, Master Somatic Coach
“How to Hold Power is a practical and invaluable guide that is accessible, down-to-earth, insightful, and honest. It will help readers transform the way they lead and the way they live their lives. If you are ready to rethink your relationship to leadership and power, to lead with compassion and empathy, to strengthen your communication and listening skills, and to work on creating and honoring boundaries, read this book, work through its exercises, and be ready to become a boss or leader that inspires others.”
Jennifer Lenhart, owner and lead teacher at Satsang Yoga Studio, Berea, OH
“By combining content with real-time practices, Dr. Moray lays out an easy-to-follow roadmap that guides the reader on a journey of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and finally, self-leadership—skills that any boss must master before they can lead others. How to Hold Power is sure to become an essential resource for any boss who wants to pursue personal growth toward more conscious leadership.
Michelle Coyle, president of BGSD Strategies
“Dr. Pavini Moray has crafted a mind and heart-opening journey of discovery for anyone in the world of work and beyond. How to Hold Power belongs alongside all of your best business and management books, and by your bedside. For the business leader, you will get immediate practices that open avenues of empathy and vision. For visionaries, you will find delightful pathways to patience, presence and perseverance.”
Steven Hoskinson, founder of Organic Intelligence
MEET THE AUTHOR
An author, educator, coach and entrepreneur, Pavini Moray has started, failed, and succeeded at many businesses. A serial entrepreneur, they have built private practices, a worker collective, and a for-profit company. Thirty years of teaching experience has shaped them into a service-oriented leader, facilitator and teacher who meets students and clients where they are. As a somatic coach, specializing in trauma and relationships, they have developed pedagogy and methodology for embodied relationships. Moray is the author of How to Hold Power and the producer of Bespoken Bones podcast. Moray holds an M.Ed in Montessori curriculum design, as well as a Ph.D. in Somatic Psychology.
An author, educator, coach and entrepreneur, Pavini Moray has started, failed, and succeeded at many businesses. A serial entrepreneur, they have built private practices, a worker collective, and a for-profit company. Thirty years of teaching experience has shaped them into a service-oriented leader, facilitator and teacher who meets students and clients where they are. As a somatic coach, specializing in trauma and relationships, they have developed pedagogy and methodology for embodied relationships. Moray is the author of How to Hold Power and the producer of Bespoken Bones podcast. Moray holds an M.Ed in Montessori curriculum design, as well as a Ph.D. in Somatic Psychology.
PUBLICITY
For Publicity inquiries, contact Michelle Phan at North Atlantic Books: mphan@northatlanticbooks.com
For Publicity inquiries, contact Michelle Phan at North Atlantic Books: mphan@northatlanticbooks.com