What does it take – personally – to build your power in an organization? And why is it important to you? If you want to grow within an organization, and have a feeling of control over your work, it is essential that you learn how to build power.
Organizations are steeped in politics. It is unavoidable and inevitable. Wishing it would not be so is naïve and will derail your career. And to successfully navigate organizational politics requires building your power base.
Jeffry Pfeffer (Power) identifies three reasons why you should want power:
- Power is related to living longer and a healthier life
- Power, and the visibility and stature that accompany it, can build wealth
- Power is a part of leadership and the ability to get things done (You hear our similar and frequent message in respect to building your influence—aka: personal power)
Studies have been done that show people who have power feel they have more control over their work environment and are healthier. Not having control over your work environment leads to feelings of helplessness and stress. And stress is a major cause of illness. Psychologist Martin Seligman coined the term “learned helplessness”, and describes its causes and consequences in detail in his well-known book Learned Optimism.
People with power have more visibility. They develop a reputation and a perception that precedes them, which provides them not only attention but also creates opportunities for them: opportunities that otherwise would not exist. And yes, power – that is, misuse of it – can be negative and used to manipulate; in which case the consequences to others and you and your career, can be disastrous. Think of those skilled in the use of negative power in respect to the individuals involved in the recent financial debacle.
Power is a part of leadership and does help you get things done in an organization. But power is not synonymous with authority. Power comes from influence, which we have written and spoken about. Power is not something only executives possess. In fact, they may not possess it at all. Power, and the ability to influence to get things done, occurs at all levels of the organization.
In this week’s Quick Tips we will describe the personal qualities that lead to greater influence and hence greater personal power.
Copyright 2010 Kubica and LaForest
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