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

How to Develop Your Personal Power

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Personal power provides you with a short cut to influence without the need to rely upon the use of political tactics. If you have sufficient power, people will do what you need them to do without you having to try too hard. Put another way, personal power is about gaining more control over what happens in your life — it enables you to be able to decide what you want to have happen in a particular situation. It doesn't mean that you always get your way, or that you should always get your way. Instead, it is increasing the potential that you have to influence things in a way that is convenient to you. You should also bear in mind that power is not necessarily an ugly concept. Two people can have identical power and use it differently depending on their morals and agenda, and it is the ethical stance which makes the use of power good or bad. Using your personal power to help others, provide greater value to your customers and colleagues and make the world a better place is certainly an activity to be encouraged! This guide brings together the key resources in the blog Read More

How to Be a Powerful Leader without Alienating People

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Once you get into a position of power, being powerful can be a joy and a short-term career highlight ― and no, I am not referring to Mr Entwistle at the BBC, tempting though it may be. Instead, I’m talking about you and what could happen if you are not careful. I can promise you there will be no surprises here, because you have probably seen it happen before with other powerful leaders. However, as you rise in power, it is all too easy to forget this list. So, treat this as a handy reminder as you start to stride down the corridors of power.
  1. Abusing your power. Namely, forcing or manipulating people to do something that they don’t want to do or, if they had full knowledge, probably shouldn’t do. Instead, focus on gaining buy-in, or at least acceptance with full disclosure.
  2. Throwing your Read More

How to Influence People without Even Trying

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If you want to influence people, you have a couple of choices about how to achieve your result. Part of learning how to influence people involves being able to make conscious choices about how you do this, rather than simply running on auto-pilot. Firstly, if you want to influence someone, you can take action. There are many different ways of doing this, from positioning, persuading and pushing, right down to misleading, manoeuvring and manipulating. Personal ethics, agendas and consequences will determine how cleanly these actions are implemented; however, the common problem with all of them is that they take time and effort. Instead of all this scheming, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could just sit back and let people do what you want them to do, and do so willingly? This is the second choice, and the preferred choice of those who are highly successful Read More

How to Be Powerful

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Over the last ten years, I have helped thousands to become more influential. In the process of doing this, I have evolved a number of principles which need to be understood by people who want to be powerful and stay powerful. The simplicity of these principles should not distract you from their potential to help you learn how to be powerful. The need to influence is a fundamental human trait. From our first minutes of life, we began to learn how to influence. Initially for nourishment to survive, then, as life goes on and we mature, so too does our need to influence. In our adult life, we need to influence others to accept our ideas, buy-in to our proposals and be loyal to us. Influence is an outcome. Someone doing/thinking/feeling something they might not otherwise have done, had it not been for us. The key point is that we were the cause of the change. Without influence, people struggle. If you are unable to influence others to a reasonable degree, you are not going to Read More

Are You Wasting Your Time When You Try to Influence?

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I’d put money on it. One of the key reasons why I think this is, is that we seem to be programmed to influence in the way we like to be influenced ― about half of this comes down to what we think makes us powerful. Time for a quick recap on power… Power is the capacity to influence. Influence is an outcome ― people doing, thinking or feeling differently. This capacity can comprise of:
  • Assets (money, position, knowledge, etc.).
  • Skills (communication, persuasion, problem solving, etc.).
  • Tactics (rational argument, inspirational appeals, force, etc.).
For a more detailed explanation, take a look at The Components of Power. Now, just take a moment to consider what assets, skills and tactics make you powerful. If you have previously done our Personal Power Profile, perhaps this is a good time to dig it out Read More

Power Vacuums and Unstable Systems

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In 2008, I wrote about Power Vacuums in Political Dilemmas at Work which I defined as...

"Your boss has moved on and a successor has yet to be appointed. Suddenly nobody is quite sure what to do."

Except this isn't quite true, is it? People who are adept at navigating the politics of the organisation will know exactly what to do. The dilemma is only a dilemma if you don't know what to do. This simple and common event offers a fascinating example of how the organisational power structures live and breathe and understanding this dynamic can certainly be a career saver. Read More

Seven Ways to Become More Powerful

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Being powerful enables you to get things done. It encourages people to do what you want them to do, often without you even asking. Generally, people like to please powerful people because of what they may gain, or because they don’t want to lose something.

Here are seven ways that you can become more powerful:

  1. Build Greater Networks. The more people you know, the more potential resources you have to call on. These can provide you with useful knowledge, resources or friendly help and support. This needs to be a two-way process, so make sure to make yourself available to help people in your network too. Don’t just focus on those nearest to you; get to know people in other parts of your organisation, and those outside of it in related work. Make sure and delicately let others know you have this network.
  2. Acquire Scarce Capabilities. Think about the work that you do and the organisation where you are right now. What does everyone seem to be wanting by way of capability? Perhaps this is financial acumen, process design. Which capabilities are in short supply? Take this into the future and try to predict how the future will change. Try to find ways to build your own capability in things that people want and then let people know you’ve got it.
  3. Focus Your Specialism. Having a clear notion of what makes you special, and being able to articulate it with clarity will help to make you more powerful. With this focus you can then look for opportunities to build greater knowledge and expertise in your area. Irrespective of what you need right now, look to develop further by finding out what the latest theories are. Build your own tool-kit of approaches and techniques which can make you stand out from the crowd.

The Gautrey Influence Blog

Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now.

💡 Benchmark your Influence: Take the Master of Influence Assessment (Free for Subscribers!)

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  1. Actively Manage Your Brand. Everyone will have built their own impression of what you represent. Some may think you’re a great networker; others could take the view that you’re a hard worker. What would you like them all to think about you? What would your ideal personal brand be like? Once you’ve worked this out, become active in promoting and managing your brand. Corporations spend millions doing this, so why not invest a little time yourself in building a powerful brand consistently?
  2. Make Use of Your Physical Characteristics. We are all of different shapes and sizes, and this can have a powerful effect on others. Depending on your goals, work and personal integrity, think through how you can make best use of what you were given. A naturally serious face can be used to effect as much as a heart-warming smile. Height, weight and good looks are proven to have an influential effect on others. Do the Personal Power Profile and discover the sources of power you use, and the ones you need to develop (complete here).
  3. Focus on Social Dimension. Very few people work in total isolation. The workplace is a social organisation and people will be naturally more inclined to help or cooperate with someone they like. Influence happens at a psychological level, so tune in to the social fabric of your workplace, mind your manners and create friends everywhere.
  4. Study Other Powerful People. You can simplify the building of power by working out what other successful people do around your organisation. Studying what gives them power can provide vital clues and short cuts which you could emulate. There are no golden rules to building power, but many have trodden this path before, so let them become your teachers. You don’t have to do what they do, but your learning can be integrated into the way you go about becoming more powerful.

And remember, power is what makes organisations function. It underlies the informal decision making processes, it affects who gets hired, fired and promoted. Resources are often allocated to the most powerful people and by becoming more powerful yourself — you increase your chances of greater success substantially.

If you found tis useful, you may also like: The Seven Sources of Power

 

The Gautrey Influence Blog

Ever felt overlooked, unheard, or stuck in office politics? You’re not alone. The Gautrey Influence Blog breaks down the real-world strategies behind leadership, influence, and power—giving you the tools to be heard, respected, and successful. Join 35,000+ professionals getting ahead the smart way—subscribe now..

💡 Benchmark your Influence: Take the Master of Influence Assessment (Free for Subscribers!)

👉 [Subscribe & Take the Assessment]

 

 

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