14 Signs You and Your Partner Are a Power Couple

You empower each other.

According to Dr. Paredes, a power couple consists of individuals who are able to support and “rally” around their partner's pursuits and endeavors. “This delineation is important because most couples support each other, but not every couple rallies and helps to empower their partner to be able to find their own success,” she explains.  

You prioritize teamwork.

For partners to break into power couple territory, teamwork should be a cornerstone of their relationship. Dr. Paredes specifically notes that one member of the couple should be able to shine without shame, blame, or guilt, while also being empowered by their partner to shine without hesitation. “Also, when one person talks about their partner's accomplishments and goals with joy and pride, that signals to me a strong powerful union," she adds.

You prioritize trying to understand one another.

"You and your partner spend more time trying to understand one another, rather than arguing about your separate points of view," says Dr. Riordan. "You cannot be a power couple if you do not see and accept your partner for who they truly are. There are no 'shoulds' in the relationship dynamic; you meet your partner where they are, and you respect and embrace their particular worldview."

You’re individually strong.

Within a power couple, each member should be able to stand on their own two feet. To highlight this sign, Crosby reveals how she and her husband interact at parties:  They’re never attached at the hip and instead, they explore, have their own conversations, and then chat about what they learned on the way home. “It gives us a lot of freedom and we are never bored,” she says.

Your ambitions have equal weight.

If you're part of a power couple, You and your partner respect one another’s ambitions—and value them as equal. "You cannot be a power couple if one or both of the members of the couple believe that their own life pursuits are more important than those of their partner," says Dr. Riordan. "Neither party’s interests are permanently subjugated to the interests of the other. Rather, in the power couple, we see a fluidity where the couple acts in unison to promote the interests of each member, when and as opportunities present themselves."

You also thrive as a unit.

By succeeding in their individual lives, power couples are also able to thrive in their partnership. “This is a couple who is delineated not by the other person but has a solid and strong ability to be an individual, and you know them on their own merits versus the merits of the partner,” shares Dr. Paredes. “But at the same time, together they form a strong team due to their own individual accomplishments.” 

You don’t take each other for granted.

Expressing appreciation often, especially for the “little things,” instead of overlooking or coming to expect your partner's actions is a power couple move, shares Meagan Prost, a licensed professional counselor.

You’re mutually protective.

Although individuals within a power couple are independent, they will fiercely protect the other member of their union. “Essentially you are the other’s biggest fan and it shows,” notes Dr. Paredes. “This means ego is down and you put your partner's success on its own pedestal.”

You clearly communicate your relationship dynamic.

Power couples don’t have to make a lot of money or both be equally successful, but they do have to openly negotiate who will be more “successful” than the other at a given time. “At the end of the day, a power couple is a couple, so like any other unit, it must communicate and negotiate the terms of the pair’s success, how it will impact them as a unit, and that each person’s success didn’t come at a price for the partner,” says Dr. Paredes. “So it's important for couples to be open about their goals, dreams, and aspirations in life and career so they can work together towards each member’s common goals.”

Your worlds don’t solely revolve around each other.

A common misconception about power couples is that they are solely reliant on each other, explains Crosby, but that’s not the case. “I explain it to my patients like this: Think of your [interpersonal relationships] like a dinner. Some are the main course, some are the salad, and some are the dessert—no one person can be your whole meal."

You prioritize quality time over money.

Not only do power couples know that spending quality time together is important, but they actually make the concerted effort to do it and don’t rely on money as their main source of happiness. “One of the biggest misconceptions about power couples is that you have to have a lot of money to make someone else happy,” reveals Prost. “But research studies show that marital satisfaction and relationship longevity are correlated with having a strong friendship.” 

You respect each other outside of the relationship.

Prost explains that power couples have the utmost respect for each other at all times, even when the other isn’t around or when times are tough. This looks like always staying on the same team and not airing complaints about their partner to family, friends, or colleagues. 

You seamlessly take turns.

Despite what some assume, people within a power couple don’t both have to have an alpha personality in order to thrive. “A power couple is more like a waltz; one might take the lead while the other follows and that could switch at any moment, but the key is to be able to go with the flow,” Crosby explains. “In a successful power couple, no one partner is always leading. They’re each strong enough to both lead and follow.” 

Dr. Riordan agrees: "You and your partner willingly address how to take turns supporting one another, so that each of you can shine. The logistics and planning of daily life is a challenge for any couple, but power couples are willing to work with their partners to facilitate and participate in all growth opportunities for both members of the couple."

You feel secure even during difficult times.

The relationship culture of a power couple is built and strengthened with continuous respect, trust, and commitment explains Prost. “When times get tough, they feel safe and secure because they have a relationship motto of ‘we'll figure this out, together.'"