On the surface, it looked like an opportunity. A bonus plan. A reward. A way to stay motivated and keep building. But what seemed like a positive incentive quickly revealed something much deeper. In this episode of Elise Sharpless & Beyond Your Brand, Elise shares a powerful personal and business story about the moment a “bonus plan” exposed who was really in control. Because sometimes what’s presented as motivation… is actually leverage. And sometimes the systems we think are helping us grow are quietly limiting us instead. This episode dives into: • The hidden dynamics behind incentive-based structures • How power shows up in business relationships • The difference between motivation and control • Recognizing when something isn’t aligned • The moment you realize you need to take your power back If you’ve ever felt like something “looked good on paper” but didn’t feel right in practice, this conversation will hit home.