Leverage is one of the simplest yet most powerful principles in the world. It’s what allows a small push to send a child soaring on a teeter-totter. It’s the secret behind lifting heavy loads with just a little force, making the impossible suddenly manageable. When used well, leverage brings balance, efficiency, and movement. But when it’s misused—when it’s out of balance—it can create a world of trouble.
In physics, leverage works by giving you the ability to move something heavier than you normally could. A well-placed fulcrum and a little force can tip the scales in your favor. But when leverage is misaligned, it can create a situation where a small shift causes massive disruption—where a tiny weight can send a boulder rolling uncontrollably.
And isn’t that exactly how leverage works in relationships too?
In the best scenarios, leverage is about mutual benefit—two people supporting and strengthening each other. It’s a healthy give-and-take, where trust is the fulcrum and respect is the force that keeps things moving. Good leverage is encouragement, partnership, and accountability—helping someone move forward when they couldn’t on their own.
But leverage can also be twisted. In the wrong hands, it becomes manipulation. A well-placed word, an unspoken expectation, or a strategic guilt trip can push someone into a corner they never intended to be in. Sometimes, people hold onto favors, secrets, or emotions like a lever, waiting for the right moment to apply pressure and get what they want.
The question, then, isn’t whether leverage exists—it’s how we choose to use it. Do we use it to build, to strengthen, to create balance? Or do we use it to control, to tip things unfairly in our favor?
Leverage is power. And like all power, it’s defined by the intent behind it. So before you pull the lever, ask yourself: Am I lifting someone up, or just weighing them down?
