For years, we’ve been encouraged to seek empowerment—to find confidence, to claim our strength, and to take control of our lives. We hear it everywhere: Women need more empowerment. Young girls need to be empowered. People must empower each other.
But what if empowerment isn’t enough? What if, instead of waiting for permission to feel powerful, we already had everything we needed within us?
At Compass Rose International, we don’t believe in empowerment alone. We coined the term INpowerment, because true power is never something that is given—it is something that is realized. We are not here to empower people. To empower someone is to first view them as powerless, then become the source of their power. Instead, we believe in INpowerment—the knowledge that we are already powerful and that true power comes from within.
This distinction is critical. INpowerment isn’t about receiving permission or validation from others—it’s about owning our power, directing our lives, and standing in our truth.
To truly understand why INpowerment is the future of personal growth and leadership, let’s break down these terms:
Empowerment (Merriam-Webster)
empowerment
/ɪmˈpaʊəmənt/ | /ɪmˈpaʊərmənt/
noun
The act of giving somebody more control over their own life or the situation they are in.
(formal) The act of giving somebody the power or authority to do something.
The keyword here is “giving.” Empowerment implies that power must be granted by an outside force—whether it’s a person, a system, or a movement. While well-intended, this can create dependency because it suggests that one cannot be powerful unless someone else provides them with it.
INpowerment
/ɪnˈpaʊəmənt/ | /ɪnˈpaʊərmənt/
noun
The act of having control over your own life or the situation you’re in.
(formal) The act of giving yourself your own power or your own authority to do something.
Unlike empowerment, INpowerment is internally sourced. It does not require validation, approval, or permission. It is a deep-rooted belief that you have always had the ability to shape your life, make decisions, and overcome obstacles.
This is a major shift in mindset. Instead of waiting to be “empowered” by external factors, INpowerment encourages you to recognize that you have always been powerful.
In today’s world, empowerment efforts often fall short. Despite decades of initiatives to “empower” people, many still struggle with confidence, self-worth, and decision-making. Why? Because empowerment alone does not address internal belief systems, self-trust, and resilience—all of which are at the core of INpowerment.
The Statistics Speak for Themselves
Confidence Gap: A study by KPMG found that 67% of women say they need more support building confidence to feel like they can lead. This suggests that traditional empowerment efforts often fall short, as they depend on external validation.
Self-Perception & Success: Research published in Psychological Science found that people who believe in their own abilities are 33% more likely to set and achieve goals than those who wait for external encouragement.
Resilience & Internal Power: Studies from the American Psychological Association show that individuals with a strong internal locus of control (believing they shape their own destiny) are 40% more likely to overcome setbacks than those who attribute success to outside factors.
Traditional empowerment alone isn’t solving these issues—because it keeps people waiting for permission rather than acting from their own inner authority.
If we want to truly thrive, we must move beyond empowerment and step fully into INpowerment. Here are five practical ways to develop INpowerment:
1. Know Your Values
Your values are the foundation of your True North. When you know what you stand for, decision-making becomes easier, and you gain confidence in your path. Write down your core values and use them as a compass for your actions.
2. Trust Your Inner Voice
Instead of constantly seeking validation from others, practice listening to yourself. Intuition is a powerful tool. The more you rely on it, the stronger it becomes.
3. Take Inspired Action
You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. Taking small, intentional steps forward builds confidence from within. Trust the process and allow yourself to grow along the way.
4. Redefine Failure
INpowerment means understanding that setbacks are not signs to stop; they are signs to grow. Each challenge is a stepping stone toward your greater purpose. Shift your mindset—failures are just lessons in disguise.
5. Surround Yourself with the Right People
While INpowerment is internal, having a community that supports your growth can reinforce your journey. Seek out mentors, friends, and peers who align with your values and uplift your vision.
Morning Affirmations
Begin each day with affirmations that reinforce your inner strength and self-worth. Try: “I am powerful, resilient, and in alignment with my purpose.”
Reflective Journaling
Dedicate a few minutes daily to writing about your thoughts, emotions, and aspirations. Journaling enhances self-awareness and clarity. Need inspiration? Explore our guided journaling notebook.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Stay present and connected to your inner self through mindfulness practices. Use apps like Headspace or Calm to guide you in simple yet transformative meditation exercises.
Intentional Goal Setting
Align your personal goals with your values and passions. Break them into actionable steps and celebrate each milestone. Download our free goal-setting worksheet to map out your journey.
Nourishing Self-Care
Prioritize activities that rejuvenate your body and soul—whether it’s exercise, reading, engaging in hobbies, or quality time with loved ones.
Gratitude Reflection
Before bed, write down three things you are grateful for. This simple habit shifts your focus toward abundance, enhancing joy and fulfillment.
This isn’t just a personal philosophy—it’s a necessary shift in how we approach leadership, education, and social impact. If we want to create lasting change in our communities, workplaces, and global movements, we must stop trying to empower people and start helping them cultivate INpowerment.
Corporate & Leadership Impact
Many organizations focus on “empowering” employees, yet workplace dissatisfaction remains high. Why? Because empowerment programs often lack self-sustaining frameworks that foster internal motivation and purpose.
Studies show that employees who feel a sense of ownership over their role and trust in their own decision-making are 50% more engaged and productive than those who rely on external validation. The best leaders don’t hand out power—they cultivate INpowerment in their teams by fostering autonomy and self-trust.
Educational and Social Impact
The same applies to education. Many youth programs focus on “empowering” young people, but this approach can unintentionally reinforce dependence. Instead, by teaching self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to self-validate, we equip young people with the mindset and skills they need to navigate life’s challenges independently.
At Compass Rose International, this is exactly what we do. Through our programs, retreats, and leadership development initiatives, we teach young women how to discover their inner compass. Our mission is not to give them power, but to help them realize they have always had it.
The world doesn’t need more people waiting for empowerment. It needs more INpowered individuals—people who recognize their own strength, take ownership of their lives, and trust their inner compass.
We are not here to empower people.
To empower someone is to first view them as powerless, then become the source of their power. Instead, we believe in INpowerment—the knowledge that we are already powerful and that our true power comes from within.
It’s time to stop waiting for someone to empower you. You already have the power inside you. The journey is about learning how to access it, trust it, and use it for the greatest good—both for yourself and the world around you.
Are you ready to step into your INpowerment?
Join us at Compass Rose International’s EvolutionHUB to explore more resources, stories, and programs that help young women cultivate self-trust, resilience, and purpose.
Compass Rose International uplifts young women vulnerable to child trafficking and mental health challenges, providing tools for resilience, confidence, safety, and independence.
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