Mastering Power Dynamics: Insights from Jeffrey Pfeffer's '7 Rules of Power'

It was a pleasure to hear the first live LinkedIn event—a question-and-answer session on power, a topic that?Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer?teaches?online and on Stanford University's Graduate School of Business campus, where I am a coach. This refreshing discussion on research-based insights into organizational and leadership effectiveness stood out amidst the noise and opinions from other sources. Those who missed it can watch the replay here. For those who want the highlights, I summarized the conversation below.

Jeffrey Pfeffer is a renowned professor at Stanford University on mastering power dynamics within organizations. Drawing from his influential book, 7 Rules of Power, and his podcast "Pfeffer on Power," Jeffrey provides actionable strategies for building sustainable power, overcoming biases, and navigating complex organizational landscapes.

This article synthesizes critical insights from a recent podcast where Pfeffer answered public questions on power dynamics, leadership, and career advancement.

Highlights

• Sustainable Power Practices: He emphasizes the importance of consistently applying the principles outlined in his book, 7 Rules of Power. These principles are rooted in fundamental human psychology and remain stable across different organizational cultures.
• Empowering Yourself: He advises against waiting for organizations to grant power. Instead, individuals should proactively empower themselves by being ambitious and proactive.
• Networking and Relationships: Building and maintaining robust social relationships is crucial for career success. He highlights the importance of networking and connecting with people who can help you advance.
• Executive Presence: Showing up in a powerful manner significantly influences individual productivity and team performance. Pfeffer recommends resources by Dana Carney, Deborah Gruenfeld, and Amy Cuddy for developing executive presence.
• Overcoming Bias: He shares stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds who have successfully navigated biases and prejudices by applying the principles of power.
• Rebranding: To change perceptions and take on bigger roles, he suggests overcoming imposter syndrome and using transformational experiences to rebrand oneself.
• Power Dynamics in Hierarchical Structures: He argues that power is inherently hierarchical and that individuals should aim to rise within these structures by understanding and leveraging power dynamics.

Key Questions and Answers

• What practices can individuals adopt to build sustainable power?

Prof. Pfeffer recommends following the practices outlined in 7 Rules of Power, emphasizing the need for consistency and persistence in applying these principles. He emphasizes that the principles of power are rooted in fundamental human psychology, which remains stable over time and across different organizational cultures. Therefore, the first practice is to consistently apply the principles of power, regardless of changing organizational landscapes or external pressures. This consistency helps maintain and reinforce one's power base. Also, to build and sustain power, one should consistently practice the seven rules of power and continue doing so indefinitely. Many people in power fail because they stop adhering to the principles that initially helped them achieve their status.

• How can individuals empower themselves and others?

To be empowered and to empower others, one must take proactive steps rather than waiting for external validation or opportunities. Empowering oneself involves being proactive and ambitious. This includes understanding and applying the first rule of power, which emphasizes taking initiative. Empowerment is largely self-driven, with about 80% of power being taken rather than granted. To empower others, recognize and appreciate their contributions, understand their strengths, and create interdependent systems where collaboration is critical. Effective empowerment involves influencing others and fostering an environment where they can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

• Who is the most powerful person alive today?

Power is situational and varies by context. In the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a notable figure due to his presidency and the controversial history of the Marcos family. The documentary The Kingmaker provides an in-depth look at Imelda Marcos's political career and the family's return to power, highlighting how Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president despite the family's past. Globally, Vladimir Putin is often considered one of the most powerful individuals due to his long-standing influence and control over Russia, despite the country's economic and technological challenges. His ability to maintain power and impact global affairs significantly contributes to his status. For further insights, he highly recommends watching The Kingmaker here

• Is career power about hierarchy, decision, or knowledge?

Pfeffer asserts that career power is primarily about hierarchy. He emphasizes the importance of rising to the top of organizational structures. Despite the belief that the world is becoming less hierarchical, evidence suggests otherwise. Hierarchies persist because there are far fewer positions at the top than the bottom. For example, there is typically only one CEO per company or one president per country. Power within a career context is about ascending to higher ranks within these hierarchies. Research, such as Sir

shows that higher status in organizational hierarchies is associated with better health outcomes and other positive benefits. Marmot's studies on the British civil service revealed that higher-ranking individuals had lower rates of cardiovascular disease and other health issues, underscoring the advantages of higher status. Sir Michael Marmot's The Status Syndrome provides valuable insights into the benefits of higher status within hierarchies.

• When negotiating an exit offer, what power tactics could a Startup Founder use to improve leverage and secure a more favorable deal, particularly if she/he is not the primary founder?

Understanding and navigating the hierarchical dynamics within your organization and the board/ investor dynamics is crucial. Avoid co-founder conflicts whenever possible, as these can lead to power struggles and inefficiencies. Venture capitalists often prefer a single point of contact, and internal disputes can waste valuable energy and resources. Highlight your unique skills and contributions to the company, clarifying how your departure would impact the organization. Equip yourself with knowledge about negotiation tactics and the specific context of your company. Additionally, learn from case studies of other companies. For example, Jack Dorsey's takeover of Twitter and the dynamics at companies like Apple and Tesla illustrate the importance of strategic positioning and influence. For further reading, consider Nick Bilton's article "All is Fair in Love and Twitter" in The New York Times for insights into startup power dynamics.

• What is the path to power for the underrepresented, specifically if they want to overcome the friction of societal bias and prejudice?

The "Pfeffer on Power" podcast offers numerous examples of individuals who have successfully navigated these challenges. For instance, a woman from Bulgaria who came from a very poor background managed to break into the venture capital world, a male-dominated field. Similarly, Sarah Buchner from Austria has made strides in the male-dominated construction industry. Christine Hung, a Taiwanese woman, was the only woman in her Apple organization. Daryn Dodson is working to change the financial management industry's bias against African Americans and women, where these groups manage less than 2% of the $60-$70 trillion in investable assets. These stories illustrate that the rules of power apply equally to everyone, regardless of background. Deborah Liu, now the CEO of Ancestry.com and previously a senior executive at Facebook, exemplifies this principle. Raised in the South as an Asian American woman, she faced significant prejudice but succeeded by embracing the principles outlined in her book, Take Back Your Power. Liu's journey underscores the importance of understanding and leveraging power dynamics to overcome bias and achieve success. For further insights and strategies on empowering underrepresented groups, consider exploring resources on empowering underrepresented groups in the workplace, rooting out bias in organizations, and allyship in fostering diversity - some readings recommended during the podcast. I am compelled to add my book, Trailblazer Founders, here, which provides a roadmap for navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlights leadership skills and actionable frameworks for underrepresented founders.

• What could be described as the best experience of someone breaking the rules to gain power, and what is the worst?

Many successful individuals and companies have achieved their status by breaking conventional rules. Here are some notable examples: Christina Troitino,?featured in the?Pfeffer on Power?podcast, broke the rules by attending the Sunday festival and getting invited to a dinner with Martha Stewart. She continues to defy norms in her career.?Ariel Ziv?created an award at Stanford by breaking conventional rules.?Jason Calacanis,?known for his?This Week in Startups?podcast,?has broken many venture capital and investing rules.

The principle of breaking the rules extends to companies as well. Southwest Airlines defied the industry's hub-and-spoke model by focusing on direct flights, which proved more profitable. Whole Foods Market challenged the grocery industry's cost-minimization strategy by offering locally tailored assortments, which customers were willing to pay more for. Apple consistently forged its own path, leading to its success.

The overarching message is that individuals and businesses can achieve remarkable success by challenging and redefining conventional wisdom.

• What are the effective steps for rebranding in a powerful fashion?

To change perceptions and take on more prominent roles, individuals must overcome imposter syndrome and use transformational experiences to rebrand themselves. This involves projecting a new image, gaining new skills, and ensuring others recognize the change. Rebranding helps in aligning one's personal brand with one's career aspirations.

• How can one navigate the paradox of power leading to isolation or corruption?

Power comes with trade-offs, and individuals must be willing to accept them. Understanding and managing these dynamics thoughtfully is essential.

• How does executive presence influence productivity and team performance?

Executive presence significantly influences productivity and team performance by fostering confidence, credibility, and trust within an organization. Leaders with strong executive presence command attention, inspire engagement, and set a positive example for their teams. This presence translates into enhanced communication, clearer direction, and improved decision-making, ultimately driving higher productivity and better results. Research by experts like Dana Carney, Amy Cuddy, and Deborah Gruenfeld has shown that executive presence impacts how leaders are perceived and their ability to influence others. For example, Cuddy's work on "power posing" demonstrates how body language can affect confidence and performance. Carney's research explores the psychological aspects of executive presence, while Gruenfeld's work focuses on how power dynamics influence organizational behavior and decision-making. Practical steps to develop executive presence include improving communication skills, managing emotions effectively, seeking feedback, and practicing strategic thinking. By cultivating these skills, leaders can enhance their personal efficiency and the effectiveness of their teams, creating a more productive and harmonious work environment. For more information on executive presence and its impact, you can explore the following resources:

• Amy Cuddy's book "Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges"
• Deborah Gruenfeld's book "Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe"
• Dana Carney's research at UC Berkeley

During the live session, I was privileged to pose a question live to Prof. Pfeffer. In response, he turned the inquiry back to me and formulated his 8th rule, drawing from my experiences.

Having interviewed many people from diverse backgrounds demonstrates that your research is universally effective. If you were to propose an eighth rule of power based on common patterns observed among underrepresented groups, what would it be?

The eighth rule of power should be aligning yourself with individuals with a promising trajectory. By associating with rising stars, you can benefit from their upward momentum. This approach emphasizes the importance of strategic alliances and leveraging the success of others to enhance your own power and influence. Prof. Pfeffer shared a story about someone who moved from Tesla to Rivian along with his boss. His boss told him, "Stick with me; if I rise, so do you." Thus, the potential eighth rule of power would be: "Find somebody whose trajectory is amazing, get yourself associated with them, and they will carry you along as they rise." The main idea is collaboration in contrast to competition.

Key Message summary

Jeffrey Pfeffer's book, 7 Rules of Power, is the foundation for the insights shared in this article. The book provides practical tips and strategies for gaining and maintaining power in various organizational contexts. Pfeffer's principles are drawn from fundamental human psychology and are applicable across different cultures and industries.

Having worked with Professor Pfeffer for the past four years as a coach in his Stanford class and collaborating with hundreds of executives on their power-building projects, I have witnessed these rules in action and wholeheartedly recommend his book. Additionally, listening to his podcast, Pfeffer on Power, provides further insights into his principles.

Mastering power dynamics is essential for career advancement and organizational success. By applying the principles outlined by Jeffrey Pfeffer in 7 Rules of Power, individuals can build sustainable power, overcome biases, and navigate complex organizational landscapes effectively. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an established executive, these insights offer valuable guidance for achieving long-term success.

This article provides a detailed exploration of Jeffrey Pfeffer's key concepts and practical advice, making it a valuable resource for professionals looking to enhance their power and influence within their organizations.