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EP 263 - Power Is Never Given — You Have to Take It: A Conversation with David Herle
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David Herle, a political strategist, pollster, and principal at The Gandalf Group, has spent decades helping shape public opinion and advising leaders in the highest circles of Canadian politics. From managing campaigns for Prime Minister Paul Martin to shaping the narrative through his influential podcast The Herle Burly, David knows what it means to engage with power—not as an abstract concept, but as something that drives change, shapes nations, and alters lives.
In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, David drops a truth bomb that cuts through the fog of niceties in leadership: “Power is never given away. If you want it, you have to take it.” It’s a reminder that while many of us are waiting for permission, the real leaders—the real changemakers—aren’t asking. They’re stepping up, showing up, and claiming space.
Waiting Is Not a Strategy
Throughout the conversation, David reflects on how much of leadership, whether in politics or business, is about showing the courage to step into uncomfortable roles. “We often think someone will tap us on the shoulder when it's our time,” he says, “but leadership doesn’t work like that.” That kind of passivity, he warns, is dangerous. “If you're waiting to be chosen, you're probably not going to be.”
This is not about arrogance. It’s about intentionality. If you believe you can make a difference, you have a responsibility to act on that belief.
The Currency of Conviction
What separates the leaders we follow from those we forget? According to David, it’s conviction. “People follow people who believe in something—really believe in it,” he explains. “When you speak from conviction, it’s magnetic.” That’s as true in politics as it is in entrepreneurship or activism.
And yet, Herle points out, we’ve built a world where too many leaders are risk-averse. They seek consensus before they speak. “But if you’re always trying to hedge, you’ll never lead anything bold,” he says.
Claiming Power Doesn’t Mean Grabbing Control
While the napkin might read like a manifesto for aggression, David’s tone is more nuanced. Taking power isn’t about domination; it’s about ownership. It's about stepping into your role, your mission, and your ability to create change without waiting for validation.
“When I say ‘take it,’ I mean own the responsibility, own the outcomes,” he shares. “If you want to make something better, act like you’re already in charge of doing that.”
Why Some People Never Get Power—Even When They Deserve It
David talks candidly about watching incredibly talented, smart, and ethical people sit on the sidelines. The reason? They believed merit alone would carry them. “We have this myth that the best rise to the top. That’s just not true,” he says. “You have to push. You have to ask. You have to take.”
And when Govindh asks him about what that looks like practically, Herle replies: “It looks like raising your hand. It looks like putting your name forward. It looks like walking into the room and acting like you belong there.”
Leadership as a Public Act
One of the most compelling parts of this episode is Herle’s belief that leadership is public. It's not what you think internally—it’s what you do externally. It’s how you show up when no one else will. And it’s how you take responsibility when things go sideways.
“You have to be willing to go first,” David emphasizes. “That’s the real power move.”
5 Key Takeaways from David Herle – Episode 263
1. Power is never granted—it's claimed.
“If you’re waiting for someone to hand it to you, you’re going to be waiting forever.”
Take Action: Make a list of three places in your life or business where you’re waiting for permission—and choose one to claim today.
2. Conviction is magnetic.
“People will follow someone who believes in something—even if they don’t agree.”
Take Action: Reconnect with your core beliefs. Where have you been playing it safe or hedging? Say what you mean.
3. You’re not chosen—you step up.
“Leadership isn't a tap on the shoulder. It's raising your hand.”
Take Action: Volunteer for a leadership role you’ve been avoiding. Step forward before you feel ready.
4. Taking power is not about control—it’s about ownership.
“Own the responsibility. Own the outcomes.”
Take Action: Identify a recurring issue in your team or organization. Act like it's your job to fix it—because it is.
5. Leadership must be visible.
“Leadership is what you do out loud.”
Take Action: Find one way this week to model the behavior, mindset, or value you want your team to follow.
This episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom is a masterclass in leadership from someone who has studied, shaped, and lived it at the highest levels. David Herle reminds us that power is not about entitlement—it’s about initiative. It's not something we’re given. It’s something we grow into by taking bold, public action.
If this message fired you up, do this: Grab a napkin, write down your biggest takeaway, and post it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Let the world see what leadership looks like when it’s claimed.
More about David:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Herle
https://www.theherleburly.com/
318 episodes
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