Who Really Holds Power in the Workplace?

?? Power at work isn’t what it used to be.

In the past, it was simple: Titles dictated authority. CEOs ruled, middle managers enforced, and employees followed.

Now? Power is fluid. Influence matters more than hierarchy.

?? Why do some leaders with big titles struggle to be taken seriously? ?? Why do employees with no formal authority hold immense influence? ? And how is power shifting in the era of hybrid work?

Understanding who actually holds power—and how to navigate it—is a competitive advantage for executives, managers, and employees alike.

Feature Article: The Anatomy of Workplace Power

Power is the ability to influence people and decisions—but in today’s workplace, it doesn’t come from just one place.

French and Raven’s six types of power explain how influence operates in organizations:

?? 1. Formal Power (Title & Authority) → "I have power because I’m the boss." ?? 2. Expert Power (Specialised Knowledge) → "I have power because I know things no one else does." ?? 3. Network Power (Relationships & Access) → "I have power because I know the right people." ?? 4. Referent Power (Charisma & Influence) → "I have power because people trust and follow me." ?? 5. Reward Power (Control Over Resources) → "I have power because I influence promotions, bonuses, or budgets." ?? 6. Coercive Power (Fear & Consequences) → "I have power because I can fire or penalise people."

?? Key Insight: The most effective leaders don’t just rely on one form of power—they blend multiple types to gain real influence.

Case Study: Tim Cook & Apple's Leadership Evolution

Under Steve Jobs, power at Apple was vision-driven and centralised. Jobs wielded referent power (charisma) and expert power (product intuition).

When Tim Cook took over, he decentralised power: ?? He elevated key leaders in design, operations, and strategy → Network Power ?? He gave more control to product teams → Expert Power ?? He built deep supplier & partner relationships → Strategic Power

?? Key Takeaway: Sustained leadership isn’t about holding all the power—it’s about knowing how to distribute it effectively.

Power in Hybrid Work: Who Gains, Who Loses?

Remote and hybrid work have disrupted traditional power structures.

???? Who gains power? ?? Employees who control information flow (e.g., those who manage Slack, dashboards, or key reports). ?? Those who are highly visible in virtual spaces (regular contributors in meetings, strong written communicators). ?? Leaders who foster connection remotely (trusted managers who maintain influence without micromanaging).

?? Who loses power? ?? Leaders who rely on presence and proximity ("Management by Walking Around" is dead). ?? Employees who don’t engage in remote culture (if no one remembers you, you lose influence). ?? Those who fail to adapt communication skills for digital-first work.

?? Example: GitLab’s Remote Influence Playbook GitLab, a fully remote company, found that employees with strong documentation and async communication skills hold more power—even without senior titles.

?? Key Takeaway: In hybrid work, power shifts from the loudest voice in the room to the clearest voice in digital spaces.

How Executives Can Navigate Power & Influence

For executives, understanding and managing power is a strategic skill.

?? How to Strengthen Executive Influence: ? Master Expert Power: Be the trusted source of strategic vision in your industry. ? Build Network Power: Develop strong cross-functional relationships. ? Leverage Referent Power: Establish trust and credibility through transparency and decisive leadership. ? Adapt to Hybrid Work: Visibility now happens in digital spaces. Engage and lead from wherever you are.

?? Example: Indra Nooyi’s Influence at PepsiCo Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi built enormous influence by mastering both network power (relationships) and expert power (deep industry knowledge). Even after stepping down, she remains one of the most respected voices in business.

?? Key Insight: Power doesn’t come from demanding influence—it comes from earning it.

Try This: How to Increase Your Workplace Power—The Right Way

?? Step 1: Map the Power Structures in Your Organisation

• Who are the key decision-makers?
• Who influences them?
• Where do informal power networks exist?

?? Step 2: Strengthen Your Influence Levers ?? Develop a niche expertise others depend on. ?? Build relationships across teams (network power). ?? Speak up in meetings & document insights clearly (visibility in digital workspaces).

?? Step 3: Play the Long Game ?? Power isn’t taken—it’s earned. Focus on trust, credibility, and strategic visibility.

?? What’s one type of power you see at play in your workplace? Reply & let’s discuss!

Closing Thought: Power Isn’t About Position—It’s About Perception

Titles don’t guarantee power. Influence does.

? The most successful executives blend multiple types of power to inspire, influence, and execute. ? Hybrid work is shifting where power lives—from physical offices to digital interactions. ? Real influence is about trust, credibility, and strategic visibility.

?? Understand power. Navigate it wisely. And use it to build a workplace that works.