The
ability to influence others can be a very useful ability to have. Developing sources of personal power is an
important way in which we can improve ourselves. If our only goal in developing these
resources is power and influence over others it can lead down a dangerous
path.
There
are four sources of personal power. The
first is expertise. As we become more
knowledgeable in our job and the jobs of those that work for us we can guide
and direct others to make decisions that will be beneficial to the company. Others will trust our ability to make
decisions and know that we will be directing them down a successful path.
The
second source is attraction. Having a
level of charisma and charm can help us to develop relationships with
others. Being likable can go a long way
to influence those around us. The text
states a few of the characteristics of likeable people. When people are honest, loyal and emotionally
accessible it can help others to trust and want to confide in them. When we show positive regard and acceptance
for others they will not worry about being judged around us and can be more
honest and open. When they see we are
willing to sacrifice, show empathy and talk to them on a regular basis we are
able to develop relationships that are more than just “leader to
subordinate”.
A
new leader that comes in and shows a substantial amount of effort to learn the
job, get along with others and listen to ideas can greatly influence
others. People will see commitment and
dedication and have a desire to help and work hard for that person. As we show commitment to hard work and learning
the job we will develop that expertise power and hopefully develop powerful
relationships with others. These play
into legitimate power. As we develop the
previous sources and seek to do business the “right” way we develop legitimate
power. Acting in a manner with the
company’s and our own value system helps us to have true power and be able to
influence others in a good and moral way.
Over
time we can use these sources of power to influence others. We should all have the desire to mentor and
lead and give quality advice. If our
only goal in developing these sources of power is to influence others then we
are on a slippery slope. If we want to
develop personal power to improve and succeed and work, accomplish our own
goals and to help others then we can be sure that we will always have the best
interest for ourselves and others in mind.
Over
the past several months I have been asked to lead an office of people that have
a great deal more experience than I do in the field we are working in. Every day is a struggle to develop the four
sources of personal power. I have also
strived to develop a likeable personality that others can trust and will want
to work hard for. I was working late and
one of the people in my office came in and started talking to me. For almost a year before I got there, the
leadership in the office was toxic and people dreaded showing up to work every
day. As we talked this person started
opening up to me about how bad it really was and how much people dreaded coming
to work. She talked about how much
better it has been since I got there.
This made me feel pretty good considering I feel like I am always making
mistakes. I was told before I came into
this section that the office was pretty much broken and the people there had no
work ethic. I have actually found the
opposite to be true. As I have openly
and honestly communicated with them and focused on creating a back and forth
communication I feel that the sense of responsibility and ownership of the
tasks we accomplish has shifted greatly from the leadership to the rest of the
office. Because of my lack of expertise
I have relied greatly on them to do their part and accomplish the mission. I work hard to help them do their jobs and
show great appreciation for the hard work they do. I have found that doing this makes them want
to work harder and smarter. I often find
that they are more than willing to come in and talk to me about things that are
going on in their lives. They will ask
for advice and seek guidance even though I am younger than some of them. I try to share my experiences in life and
help them to find a path that is best for them.
Often I am just there to listen.
I have learned that often people don’t necessarily want advice, they
just want someone to listen to them. As
I have learned to do this I have watched my relationships with others grow and develop
into a strong bond that lasts a long time.
Using
table 5.5 in the text I have learned a few important lessons about influence my
boss. Communication is key. I have learned to communicate often and in
detail. Because of the fast pace that
things happen in my career field I find it necessary to always keep my bosses
in the loop. The more I do this the more
they are able to help me when it is needed.
It is when I try to do things on my own that I tend to stumble along and
make mistakes. The more I know how my
bosses job and their pressures the more I can anticipate the things they need
from me to get the job done. When I can
anticipate their questions and needs it takes a great deal of weight from their
shoulders. I have also learned that it is
important not to waste my boss’s time.
When I bring a product, plan or problem to them I need to have spent
time on it. A product or plan needs to
be well thought out with all the kinks and problems fixed. When I bring a problem to them I should have a
variety of solutions already thought of.
This way I can show that I am working on a solution and am either
looking for approval of advice on which direction to take. Developing and maintaining a relationship
with both my subordinates and my leadership is very important in my
organization. If I am able to do this I
will be successful in what I do. If I
were to abandon both sides and try to do things on my own I would be a failure
and would probably be fired after only a few months.
I
have learned that being part of a team means everyone working together in
pursuit of a goal. No one member is more
important than the other. As I develop
relationships with my subordinates and leadership alike I have found that I
influence them and they influence me. I
have mentors and coaches that I learn from every day. I am also able to provide guidance,
leadership and help to others when they need it. These are mutually beneficial relationships
that lead to the success of both the employees and the organization.
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