There are several types of power. In order to do your job you need power. You have positional power – power that comes from the title and authority that your company has entrusted to you. At times you must use that power to manage employees (direct, lead, influence, train, discipline etc.) to get a given task done.
Although your position as a Manager, Supervisor, Lead, etc. gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives in the organization, this power does not make you a leader…it simply makes you the boss. Leadership differs in that it makes the followers want to achieve high goals, rather than simply bossing people around.
I could spend a significant amount of time talking about power and influence (I have a two hour training module on the subject). But today I want to take a few moments to address a type of power that gets some bad press. It is the power from who you know – relational power.
Relation power is the power you get because you have a relationship with someone in power or influence. You gain additional power/influence because you are on good terms with them and have their trust. I have been responsible for projects that required me to get the cooperation of those “above” me. In an ideal world it should have been no problem. But we all have had the experience of not having a title and basically getting blown off. It’s not their project and just because your boss told you to do something means little to them. Having a relationship with them would have helped. Having a relationship with their boss would also help. Don’t get me wrong. This should not be seen as a power struggle or a one-up on someone. You may win the battle but loose the war. I’m not telling you to go over your boss’s or anyone’s head. But it is about getting a fair hearing. You can’t use just relational power over and over. You will have to develop your own credibility, but until that time comes, it can open doors to be effective with what you are tasked to do.
Who you know increases what you know (the inner working of the organization). I’m not a smoker but I’d go outside and hang out in the smoking area at one job because all the managers smoked. That is where a lot of business was conducted. I’m not telling you to be a “suck up” and “brown noser.” They don’t last over the long haul. What I am telling you is to invest in relationships with people that are in positions of power or influence. Get to know them. You will learn things through the informal relationship. You will have a better opportunity to get a hearing for your ideas.
I have known some Supervisors that avoid Managers and those at the top of the organization. Don’t be afraid to “mix it up” with people at the top. Develop relationships. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (See http://www.westegg.com/unmaintained/carnegie/win-friends.html ). Whether you like it or not you are always selling yourself. In order to be successful you will need to understand the various types of power, when to use them, and their strengths and weakness.
You have three main sources of power from which to tap use them all:
v Positional power from the role you occupy. Just being the Leader gives you authority which you must use gently and wisely.
o Coercive Power - make things difficult for people
o Reward Power - ability to distribute rewards
v Knowledge power because of what you know about the department/organization you lead.
o Earned power – what you can contribute
v Personality power - You persuade or motivate others through your positive attitude, integrity, friendly manner, patience and other personal characteristics.
o Relational or connection power – the influence you have because you know and have influence with someone in power. It is also a type of positional power because it is using the position of power of someone else.
o Personality power can be quickly lost if you lose trust or credibility
“Everyone has the power of greatness. Not for fame but greatness. Because greatness is determined by service.” Dr. Martin Luther King
“…if you really want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln