Colin Gautrey

Harnessing the Power of Informal Groups

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We normally view organisations as being split into formal groups such as marketing, operations, sales, etc. To this formal structure we can add cross-functional project teams created for specific purposes. This represents the way formal power assets are divided within the organisation. However, underlying this is an informal structure — groups of people with something in common. They could share common sporting interests, educational background, or even the fact they all smoke. These informal groups can have a massive impact Read More

Raising Your Game — Influencing Groups

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Most people we meet tend to be focusing on influencing individuals — the stakeholder matters most. That is great, however it’s only a start. Once you have begun to make good progress individually, you can start to turn more of your attention towards groups. There are a number of reasons why this presents a great opportunity to raise your game.
  • Efficiency. Every minute counts in a busy day. Why spend your time influencing one person when you could spend the same amount of time influencing 10 or 50 or more?
  • Complexity. The bewildering array of variables to consider. Yes, this is an opportunity to push back from your cosy life and enter a new, stimulating world.
  • Visibility. Scary but true, influencing groups means you have to get out there and perform on stage, or at least in front of a large group of people. Getting noticed is important to career prospects.
  • Difficulty. Be under no illusion, this is challenging work. This means that fewer people attempt to do it and even fewer succeed. Those who do quickly rise to the top.
  • Power. The more competent you become at influencing groups, the more powerful you will become. Power positively used can do a huge amount of good in the world and it can make your world pretty comfortable too!
So, assuming Read More

Exercise: Informal Groups in Your Organisation

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Without doubt, if you aspire to a senior or influential position in any organisation, you will need to open your eyes and see the social structures within it. This exercise will help you to apply your learning to the setting where you wish to be successful. It assumes that you have already read other articles, such as Navigating Informal Group Dynamics and Power and Informal Groups (see below). As with most exercises, it helps if you can get together and discuss this with one or more colleagues. What informal groups exist around Read More

Navigating Informal Group Dynamics

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In order to maximise your success, you need to be able to understand and influence decisions made by informal groups which exist in your organisation, particularly those with power.

Formal Groups

The formal structure of your organisation is often based on the primary functions. Additionally, you can get cross-functional groups. This is the way in which power is officially distributed around Read More

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