Power is often regarded and a complex topic, and odious to many — especially the pursuit of power. Yet it remains a central element of successful influence and can easily be combined with integrity. Power can be defined as the potential to influence others to do what they would not otherwise have done. As such, it is regarded as a passive phenomenon. Conscious attempts to build power can yield significant results over time.
To simplify and get you moving, think of power in terms of the potential you have to either help or hinder someone else. If you have the ability to reward others who cooperate, such as by putting in a good word for them with your friend the boss, or to punish people, perhaps by working against them at the next team meeting, then you have power. Most people are influenced more effectively when they consider how their choices will affect them in the future — what can they gain and what might they lose?
Take action on this secret…
- Think of the people who are closely connected to your influencing goal.
- Get creative and, for each, make a list of all the things you could do to help them.
- In what ways could you hinder or harm them? If this is abhorrent to you, just think about it even if you don’t act on it.
- For each person, think of ways in which you could carefully raise their level of awareness about what you could do for them.
- If they are not close to your goal, consider a bargaining approach to gain their support for your agenda.
And remember, threats and manipulations are an ugly part of organisational life and should be avoided where possible by those who have long-term success in mind.
