Power at Work: How It’s Used and How to Empower Yourself

A colleague recently called to ask about the presentation on #power I led at June’s 25,000-participant #shrm2023 international conference. Because I had such fun reviewing it with him, I’m sharing the highlights in this week’s issue of our #leadershipdevelopment newsletter.

The Big WHY

Every day as leaders, we use our power AND have power used toward us. The successful recognition, ownership, and management of power at work contributes to:

• Increased engagement?
• More productive conflict management
• Greater psychological safety
• Improved mental health and well-being
• Stronger feelings of inclusion and belonging
• Higher motivation fueled by feelings of autonomy and authority
• Retention of desired talent
• And…yes…more effective leadership

Defining Power - What It Is and How It Looks

Power is an interpersonal relationship in which one individual/group can change the behavior of another. Power itself isn’t “good” or “bad” – but the intentions behind it and behaviors we desire may be perceived as such.?

In 1959, social psychologists French and Raven identified 5 bases of power:

• Coercive - Using negative consequences to gain compliance
• Expert - Based on perception that someone has specialized skills, knowledge, or expertise that others rely on and trust
• Legitimate - Based on recognized or positional authority?
• Referent - Derived from personal characteristics, qualities, or attributes that others find admirable or desirable
• Reward - Ability to motivate others’ compliance by offering positive incentives

In 1965, Raven added “informational power” (having/controlling desired or needed knowledge) and subsequent researchers added “connection power” (derived from association with those with extensive social networks).?

Consider which forms of power you use most frequently and which are used toward you. Those that make you feel most - and least - comfortable, and those you could learn to own and manage.

Owning Our Power

To own our power means to have power or mastery over it. Em-power yourself to use the right power in the right situation to achieve the right results.

Identify the kind of power that would be most effective in your situation.

When I spoke at the conference, I harnessed expert power (I have specialized skills and knowledge in my topic) and referent power (I am charismatic and worthy of respect and admiration). I had some legitimate power - from the stage I could ask questions and assign activities, but had no coercive power to force compliance. My reward power was in the form of slides - the gift for showing up (and scanning a QR code) was the complete slide deck.

Initiate action and experiment.?

To demonstrate expert power, I included a slide summarizing my “street cred.” I didn’t abuse my legitimate power by demanding too much - and I rewarded them by ending five minutes early AND by sending slides upon returning home.

Integrate learning to be better prepared for the next situation.

According to feedback surveys, not everyone liked the?paired exercises - so next time I’ll suggest individual contemplation as an alternative.

Managing Power at Work - Yes, You C-A-N

The root of the word “manage” comes from the Latin noun for hand - "manus." Managing power means keeping power in YOUR hands – and being hands-on with your own power.?

• Catch power in the act - identify who’s using which forms
• Assess the power - how is it affecting you? How can you alter it to better serve your interests? What options do you have - and what’s the risk/reward for engaging in the power play?
• Now…empower yourself through action. It’s not about “right” and “wrong” – but what is best in this situation. As stated above…initiate, learn, and apply insight next time.

The Power of Goodbye

As He-Man said upon grabbing his sword, “I have the power.” (Yes, another Mattel toy is getting its own movie .) You are powerful. Go be empowered.

And to quote another #genx icon, Madonna , “There's no greater power than the power of good-bye.” See you next week!

Tina has played at the intersection of humans + technology + work for more than 25 years. A consultant, speaker, and educator, she is the founder of WorkJoy , partnering with organizations to unleash the potential of their humans. WorkJoy helps develop leaders through 1-to-1 coaching, 1-to-many training and team facilitation, and 1-to-all speaking engagements.