Over the past few weeks, several equity partners have shared a similar challenge: navigating situations with colleagues— or even client team members— who were downright rude. Sharp comments. Raised voices. Conveniently rewritten facts. Subtle undermining that hides behind civility. Behaviors that make you pause and wonder: is this a one-off...or the start of something deeper?

Because once those moments pass, they tend to leave a trail.

And the questions follow:

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: in industries like law, defined by hierarchy and performance pressure, power plays aren’t rare— they’re often part of the landscape.

They show up in every form:

• The raised voice

• The revisionist memory

• The “miscommunication” that shifts the goalposts

• The silence that implies complicity— or dares you to challenge it

When formal channels like HR feel too heavy-handed, yet staying silent means more of the same, you need something else.

You need a toolkit that helps you hold your space with power and precision— without drama, and without apology.

Here it is.

Navigating difficult dynamics isn’t about delivering the perfect put-down or shutting someone down— it’s about restoring balance and clarity. A calm, well-placed line can shift the power dynamic more effectively than any shouting match ever could.

While your best move is often to remain steady— more lion than roar— there are moments when the right response is necessary. 

Use these principles strategically.  

Use these lines sparingly. 

And when the moment comes? Make it count.

Most power players thrive on your reaction. It keeps the game going.

So starve the moment. Let the silence stretch. Then— move strategically.

If it’s petty, let it go.

If it’s political, document it for yourself.

If it’s corrosive, don’t ignore it— disrupt it calmly and surgically.

“I’d love to understand how that aligns with what you said last week.”

“For clarity, my understanding was X. Let me know if you see it differently.”

“That’s an interesting interpretation. I’ll stick to the documented version.”

Not everything needs a response. By simply continuing to operate as normal, you reassert your presence.  But sometimes, the room needs re-centering.

A well-placed line can re-center the balance of power.

“Interesting. That’s not what you said last week— should I assume your position has changed again?”

“You can raise your voice, but it won’t raise your credibility.”

“I don’t do shouting matches— I’ll wait while you compose yourself.”

“That’s a lot of words for something that's still wrong.”

“Respect is given freely— until a different approach is needed.”

Say it once. Say it calmly. Then keep walking.

The room will calibrate itself around your composure.

If the situation needs escalation, don’t make it about your hurt— make it about the work.

“I want to ensure the best environment for getting this done. What’s the approach you’d recommend?”

“This happened. I’ve handled it. Let me know if you’d like to discuss further.”

There’s a difference between being reactionary and being decisive.

The latter changes outcomes. The former only fuels the noise.

This is a critical one. At some point they may try to walk it back or save face. That's fine. But it's also a great opportunity to calmly reaffirm: you're not playing their game.

A quiet, almost understated comment can go a long way. 

“I see you’ve had time to reflect—glad to see progress.”

“I trust that was just an emotional moment. We’ll chalk it up to that.”

“Passion is great. Professionalism is better.”

You don’t need to win. You don’t need to escalate.

 Just restore the climate. Then move on. 

We talk a lot about what we’re going to do in the next quarter.

But just as powerful is to ask:

Clients rarely need more information. What they need is a plan, a clear strategy, and the kind of grounded authority that walks into any room and holds steady— even when things get messy.

The woman in the image above isn’t arguing. She’s not retreating either. She’s assessing, holding her line, and making space for the truth to land.

That’s presence. That’s poise. 

And in a power play? That’s more disarming than anything loud.

You don’t need to roar. 

You don’t need to win every debate.

But when the energy in the room needs recalibrating?