Creativity and Power

Workplace power.

Power is so important and yet so little talked about, it’s almost like a secret sauce that people want to keep to themselves.

Like sauces there are lots of different types of power.? Unlike Ketchup you can have them all and mix them up. ?

Here are six big power levers you can pull on to shift things forward and get things moving.

1. Reward Power:

A reward is the giving of something of value. Reward power lets you recognize great performance with raises, promotions, or even heartfelt compliments. It’s important because it fuels motivation and encourages improved performance. Reward power can also be used to lift up poor or OK performance sometime rewarding someone who is struggling might just be the boost they need to get back up and going.

• What: Reward Power is the ability to reward others (we all have it) — obvious rewards are bonuses, promotions, or recognition. The less obvious are praise and attention.
• Why It Matters: Motivates those around you and boosts performance.
• Creative Boost: lots of different types of reward mechanisms, be imaginative and understand people’s motivators. There are lots of non-monetary rewards like flexible work hours or extra holiday days. Money motivation usually only lasts for a few months as new costs quick match up.
• When to Use It: Recognize exceptional effort, celebrate achievements, and motivate your team. Use it both when expected and when unexpected.

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2. Expert Power:

Being the Subject Matter Expert gives you power, because there is the opportunity to be seen, listened to and valued at the highest level. It relies on your knowledge, expertise, brain power and insights. These all need constantly feeding and nurturing. However, be generous with your expertise, be available. Your job is to give and go (get even more expertise) Your brain is your secret weapon—sharpen it!

• What: Power rooted in knowledge and skills.
• Why It Matters: It drives informed problem-solving and innovation and informed decision making.
• Creative Boost: Keep learning—never be too busy to attend workshops, explore new tools, and share insights.
• When to Use It: Use it to influence decisions, guide teams, and gain respect. Use it to gain exposure up the organisation and if needed improve your job security.

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3. Positional Power:

We all operate in hierarchies, at home and work and with them comes Positional Power...Even the dogs have most favoured status! ?It’s both the weakest and strongest power. Being told is not a great way to get things done. It’s certainly weak if you need people to apply discretionary effort. To expand its reach, think beyond your job description. Think how can you apply a creative approach such as becoming the first amongst equals or the spokesperson for your group.

• What: Linked to your role or position.
• Why It Matters: Enables decision-making, is usually clear, quick and easy.
• Creative Boost: Stretch beyond your job description and link to other powers to boost.
• When to Use It: In situations where direct leadership is needed or where discussions and debates have been had and now someone needs to decide. ?As use when all else fails and you need a quick decision.

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4. Coercive Power:

There are bosses who can rain consequences down. Coercive power is about punishment. But wait—there’s a twist. Instead of wielding it like a hammer, use it judiciously. Redirect it toward positive change from a negative situation. For instance, communicating the consequences of poor behaviours, performance and what needs to change. Creative coercion? Absolutely. Coercive power is everywhere accept it, manage it and see it for what it is. Deal with it.

• What: The hammer of consequences.
• Why It Matters: Redirect it positively for change.
• Creative Boost: Communicate consequences clearly - Know, understand, feel and do. Match off with communicating solutions or what success looks like equally clearly.
• When to Use It: Only when needed. As little as possible and always with a route towards success.

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5. Social Power:

There is no doubt about it, charisma and extrovert behaviours bring power. That magnetic force that draws people in gives you power.? ?Why does it matter? Because it can make things happen for you and for your team it can foster collaboration, trust, and team spirit. To boost your Social power investing in it, read about how to grow it and then practice it. Read ‘How to win friends and influence people’. Seek out different perspectives. Learn from everyone—from the intern to the CEO. Your network is your Social power grid.

• What: Connection, charisma and magnetism.
• Why It Matters: Fosters trust and collaboration.
• Creative Boost: Learn how to be more social, emphatic, and relatable. Above all make people feel they are listened to and show that you are interested.
• When to Use It: Everywhere all the time. People are people.

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6. Informational Power:

Information is power. It’s true! Information gives you insight and with that you make better decisions. Boom. Learn to love data and all forms of information, then join them together to be knowledgeable. It’s easy to be the Office Oracle if you have the information. It goes without saying there is a dark side which is gossip and withholding information. Be careful. One aspect is to power up your informational power by sucking it up relentlessly. The other aspect is memory. There is no point in having the information, if you cannot recall it in the moment.

• What: Insights and data wizardry.
• Why It Matters: Better informed decisions.
• Creative Boost: 1 - Be curious about everything, all the time everywhere. 2 – Memory is a muscle, exercise it.
• When to Use It: In public, in private and with caution. Know the time, place and value of the information.

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?Power management.

Power alone is not enough you need Power Management and Judgement.

Because what is power for if you cannot use it wisely.

Use your power to influence and shape outcomes.

But also….

Use your power to -

?make things better,

?do things quicker,

?add more value

?and reduce the cost.

If you are using your power to do anything else, it’s time to have an internal check and challenge session. Ask yourself - Is your motivation off course or your judgement flawed?

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?? No LinkedIn article is complete without a call to action!

• Balance Your Powers: Evaluate the powers you possess. Score yourself out of ten.
• Boost Your Power Output: Hone your expertise, learn from others, and put in the effort to grow your powers.

All powers are growable (and shrinkable)