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INFLUENCE WITHOUT AUTHORITY

Bridging the Power Gap

It is evident that dynamics within an organisation has become intricate because of the network of interdependence that exists. Many of you are in roles that require you to get others to support and cooperate with you to get your job done. However, you are not given control over many of them, especially those outside your chain of command.

Furthermore, as your actions or decisions can impact others, autonomous action is not always possible. Failure to apprise them prior to taking actions or making decisions may lead them to work against you especially when they may have power over you or the situation.

There can be a sizable built-in gap between the power you need to achieve your objectives and the power that automatically comes with your role. Equally true is the gap between the power you possess and the power that others, upon whom you are dependent, have. This shortfall of power and autonomy can result in you allotting more and more time to seek others to collaborate and provide timely information so that you can make your contributions to the organisation.

Technical competencies are ineffective in the above stated situations. Such circumstances demand sophisticated leadership capabilities to bridge the inherent power gap and secure the assistance and compliance of others to achieve one’s professional objectives.

Influence without Authority will help you become more astute at understanding the dynamics of power within an organisation. It will assist you to recognise and own the power you already possess and acquire pivotal capabilities and the instinct to attain power from different sources to bridge the power gap intrinsic in your role. With enhanced power, you can become influential with those inside and outside of your chain of command, be respected, admired and relevant to others. Another outcome is that your relationships with others will become stronger.

TAKEAWAYS

  • Achieve network management capabilities to become skilled at dealing with interdependent relationships
  • Develop the capabilities to acquire power from different sources to bridge the power gap intrinsic in roles and use the power responsibly to influence stakeholders
  • Attain the knack of knowing how to make power dynamics in corporate life work for oneself
  • Become more erudite with power, influence and leadership and the relationship between them
  • Become familiar with strategies to get the cooperation of others who are inside and outside one’s chain of command
  • Recognise and own the power you already possess and leverage it to become more effective at influencing others
  • Ability to exercise greater leadership
  • Effectively manage upwards to gain resources, support and fair treatment from bosses and senior stakeholders
  • Leveraging the power that is inherent in relationships to seek the support, cooperation and compliance of others
  • Use the law of reciprocity, dependencies and currencies of exchange to have the balance of power in your favor in relationships

WHAT WILL BE COVERED

  • Addressing the challenges that people face in organisations because of the interaction of interdependency and diversity
  • The key leadership challenge of securing support, cooperation and compliance from those outside one’s chain of command to fulfil one’s responsibilities
  • The power deficit that exists in any role to get the job done and the necessity to bridge the gap by becoming more influential
  • Getting clarity on what power is and what the absence of power looks like
  • Exploring the relationship between power, influence and leadership
  • Reputation as a prerequisite for influencing others
  • Understanding the different bases of power
  • Exploring the appropriate and inappropriate use of Positional Power and its impact on others and the environment
  • The importance of network management and developing, maintaining and sustaining relationships.
  • Performing an analysis of the powers that one possesses, uses and can develop to exercise greater influence and leadership to become more effective
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