What are the Power Buttons Where You Work?

Jan

2012

Being ignorant has never been a smart strategy for your career. That includes office politics. Do you know the five common power bases in organizations - and which ones have the most clout where you work? Your effectiveness in office politics is reflection of how you leverage the various points of power most important to your organization.

Relationship Power: Who You Know

Often times, it's who you know within your organization that can make the difference in being recognized and moving ahead. According to a Catalyst study, proactively networking with influential people and being involved in high-profile projects have the greatest impact on career advancement.

Would creating deliberate relationships within your organization be powerful for you and your career? Who do you need to get to know in your organization?

Knowledge Power: What You Know

A big reason why you were hired is your experience and what you know. Whether you posses specific technical knowledge, industry knowledge, or subject matter expertise, the real question is what knowledge is most esteemed by your organization - and do you have it?

If you do, you are blessed with built-in organizational power. People automatically listen to and respect your opinion. If your knowledge base is important but not core to the organization's existence, find a way to show how your capabilities contribute to the essential know-how your organization needs.

Creative Power: How You Apply What You Know

Knowledge is like a great computer or kitchen appliance. It may look pretty and impressive, but it won't do a darn bit of good until you plug it in. The ways you apply what you know - from launching a new product to solving a customer's problem - is the difference between having a reputation for getting results and being a box on an organizational chart.

Would cultivating a reputation as a smart, creative person garner you more political power in your organization? Would people want to know what's on your mind?

Positional Power: What Your Rank Is

Even with the trend towards flatter organizations, often a job title open doors. The company you work for may also be a name that gets attention. Is that true for your organization? If so, are you willing to use your position as leverage to make things happen?

No matter your position within a company, there will be people who look to you precisely for the role you play, your access to certain people, and your unique ability to make things happen in your particular corner. Remember, if your position isn't vital to the business, it wouldn't have been created. If you hadn't been the best candidate for that position, you wouldn't have been hired for it. So claim the political power that comes with it - and use it!

Personal Power: Your Relationship With Yourself

No matter where the source(s) of power lie in your organization, the first hurdle to success happens between your ears. Does your self-talk routinely dismantle every good idea you have and discourage you from making it known? Do any of the following ring a familiar mental bell?

"I don't feel right pointing out my accomplishments. That sounds like bragging to me."
"Maybe I'd get more respect if I looked better."
"What did I say that would cause him to turn on me like that?"
"I get embarrassed too easily for myself and others."
"I shouldn't go after that big, new project. I haven't worked hard enough."

Alan Weiss, author of Million Dollar Consulting, says this: "Your first sale must be to yourself." If you're not a happy customer, perhaps you've allowed yourself to be negative for too long.

Want more ideas about how to increase your understanding of office politics? Get the eBook What Every Woman Must Know About Office Politics where I share office politics strategies and 7 ways women give away their power at work without realizing it. It's part of my free Sanity, Confidence & Fun Action Pack.

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