In a room, the seat facing the entrance is generally considered the position of power. This is because it is inside looking out, is protected from behind, and provides the optimum vantage-point from which to survey the situation. This position is considered by many to be much stronger than sitting with your back to the entrance. This position is considered to be optimal in negotiations, for example, but only if you’re playing for win-lose (which I don’t recommend).
I usually let my wife, Cindy, take that position of power when we are together. I have been doing this because I knew intuitively that she prefers it and because I’m comfortable sitting in any position. We have discussed how she always prefers to sleep on the side of the bed farthest from the bedroom door, with me between her and the door, because this makes her feel safer. However, until today, I had not consciously extended that understanding to seating positions.
Today, we were sitting with some friends for brunch, and I gave Cindy the most powerful position at the table before I randomly took the second most powerful position. I said, “I always give Cindy the position of power.” And then I noticed the quiet conversation between our friends, who are a couple. It turned out that she was trying to ensure the he got a seat in a position of power. When I asked about it, he revealed that he likes to sit facing the…
