Power Playbook: Tactics You Can Steal from Women Who Built Empires
- jennysmithmattfeldt
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Study their moves, steal their strategies, create your own power.
Published February 23, 2026
With all the tech, social media, interviews, documentaries, and reality shows at our fingertips, we now have unprecedented access to the lives of women who have built literal empires. From boardrooms to red carpets, their moves, decisions, and energy are out in the open—if you know where to look.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at a handful of powerhouses in business and media, dissecting how they move, make decisions, and command influence. More importantly, we’ll pull out the tactics you can steal, adapt, and implement on your own journey so you can cultivate the same level of strategic, unapologetic power in your own life.
Kris is a master at seeing leverage in chaos. She treats her career, her family’s careers, and every deal like a chessboard: every conversation, every move, every headline is a chance to build power. She attributes that mindset (owning your narrative and actively shaping your path instead of waiting for it) to God, manifesting, and good old fashioned work, and it's probably the single most impactful lesson for any ambitious woman.
If you internalize that, it changes everything: how you network, how you pitch ideas, how you prioritize your energy. Everything becomes strategic, and suddenly you’re not just “trying to grow”—you’re intentionally building the world you want.
#1 The Power of Relationships
Keep a running list of people you want to stay close with (mentors, peers, collaborators) and check in meaningfully (not just generic DMs).
Celebrate their wins publicly or privately; Kris constantly ensures her people feel valued.
Remember: people remember how you make them feel. Even small gestures (a text, a note, a lunch) build loyalty that pays off in ways you can’t predict.
#2 Own Your Narrative
Be intentional about your social media, your emails, your personal messaging—what story do you want people to remember?
When challenges arise, lead with transparency but frame it around growth or vision.
Give (and take) credit where it’s due, and don’t let other people define your value.
#3 Strategic Hustle
Identify 1–2 areas where you can create opportunities rather than wait for them. Example: pitch a project, start a collab, or organize an event that highlights your skills.
Create more time. She's up at 4am where can you create more time in your day?
Document everything, she's famous for writing everything down.
Martha’s brilliance is in the way she approaches life and business with precision & relentless attention to detail. She teaches us that showing up consistently, being prepared for every scenario, and taking ownership of your craft builds credibility and influence that lasts (whether it’s your career, your brand, or even your personal life.)
If you have a big vision, the overarching lesson clear: mastery is power. If you commit to being exceptionally good at what you do and maintain high standards that others notice, doors open naturally.
#1 The Beauty of Reinvention
Don’t be afraid to pivot your career, your brand, or even your personal image when opportunity or growth calls.
Audit what’s working and what’s not, then repackage yourself with intention and clarity.
Use reinvention as a way to venture into new areas (a certain Snoop Dog friendship comes to mind.)
#2 Mastery as Power
Commit to being exceptional in at least one area of your work—skills, knowledge, or craft.
Show up prepared, polished, and precise; it signals credibility and commands respect.
Treat every project, meeting, or interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise.
#3 Aesthetic Control
Be deliberate about how you present yourself online and offline—visuals, language, and tone all communicate your values.
Think of every platform, product, or interaction as part of your narrative.
Craft a lifestyle or brand aesthetic that aligns with your vision; consistency builds trust and influence.
Some of her greatest advice: “you can have it all, just not all at once.” It's the ability to embrace ambition without guilt: she builds businesses and chases goals all while acknowledging that balancing that with being a mom is a constantly moving target.
Stop trying to do everything perfectly at once, and instead focus fiercely on your current priorities, execute with excellence, and trust that other pieces of your life will align in their own time.
#1 You Can Have it All, Just Not All At Once
Prioritize ruthlessly: decide what needs your full attention now and what can wait.
Give yourself permission to be all-in on your career or project, without guilt.
Recognize that life is fluid; seasons of intense focus will shift, and you can return to other priorities later.
#2 Be Unapologetic About Your Ambition
Speak confidently about your goals—don’t downplay your ambition.
Take opportunities even if they feel “too big” or intimidating; leaning in is what accelerates growth.
Set boundaries and expectations around your time, so others respect your energy and focus.
#3 Leverage Partnerships Strategically
Identify people, brands, or mentors who align with your vision and values.
Approach collaborations as mutually beneficial—bring your strengths and recognize theirs.
Don’t be afraid to initiate a relationship.
She was the embodiment of discipline, vision, and an uncompromising standard for excellence. It teaches us that building influence and authority is less about one big move and more about the accumulation of consistent, high-quality effort over time. Her daily schedule given to CNBC rarely wavers.
In every avenue, Wintour’s approach seemed to be: keep your eye on the long game, maintain your standards relentlessly, and never let mediocrity slip in—even when no one is watching. Your reputation and influence are built day by day, and consistency (paired with vision) creates power that lasts.
#1 Relentless Consistency
Commit to high standards in everything you do, even when it’s unseen.
Build routines that reinforce excellence—meetings, projects, personal prep—make them non-negotiable.
Focus on the long game: your reputation and influence grow through consistent quality over time.
#2 Curate Your Personal Image
Lean into a signature style or consistent “look” that signals confidence and competence.
Treat your image as part of your professional toolkit; it communicates your standards and taste before you even speak.
Maintain visual and behavioral consistency. People remember the energy and authority you radiate.
#3 Master the Art of Curation
Be selective with your energy and attention; elevate what aligns with your vision.
Use your platform (social, professional, or creative) to set the tone and guide perception.
Recognize that influence is a strategic choice: deciding what deserves focus multiplies impact.
Their Through Lines
There are clear threads running through the way these women move: deliberate energy, uncompromising standards, and a vision that guides every action. If you want to embody that same kind of presence and influence, start by focusing on these four traits.
Curated Image & Presence
They communicate authority before they speak.
Do this yourself: Take the Kibbe body quiz to understand what silhouettes and styles complement your shape, then build your wardrobe and visual presentation around that foundation.
Relentless Consistency
Power compounds in the daily, high-quality actions that others overlook.
Do this yourself: Add one new habit to your routine—whether a morning ritual, a work prep system, or a networking habit—and stick to it with psychotic consistency.
Vision for the Future
Every move is made with long-term impact in mind.
Do this yourself: Map out your goals for this quarter and break them into micro-steps—what can you do weekly and daily to get there? Write it down and track progress.
Strategic Mindset & Leverage
They see opportunity in chaos and shape their world intentionally.
Do this yourself: Identify 3–5 key people in your industry, circle, or network who can accelerate your growth. Reach out to connect, collaborate, or learn from them—small gestures build long-term leverage.
Join us over on the Newsletter — delivered right to your inbox
Comments