Three ways to abundantly build power

What comes to mind when you hear the word “power?”

Control? Force? Strength? Authority? Dominance?

Power isn’t about any of that!

Leadership is about gathering and exercising power, which allows you to influence people so that they take action.

That’s what power is about: influence.

Effective leaders know how to accumulate power — and use it at the right times.

A key part of this definition of power is that it’s not a zero sum game. It’s not an either/or: If I have power, you don’t. If you have power, I don’t.

In fact, power as influencing action is an abundant resource we can build, invest in, and grow.

Isn’t that exciting? I think so!

We can actually increase our power in a systematic and intentional way. Here’s how:

1. Referential power: You build referential power by finding, identifying, and connecting with people in different areas. Referential power is all about connection. For example, build up the network inside your organization, through the use of digital collaboration platforms, networking events, and lunch-and-learns, so everyone can build power through a rich internal personal network.

2. Informational power: You increase the informational power inside an organization by giving people access to information. I once worked with a CEO who noticed that most of the information in her organization was held by a small number of VPs and executives. Then she realized: Almost all of it could be made available! So they opened up the vaults and made sure everyone knew how to access the information responsibly and had the power to make decisions directly.

3. Expertise power: Identify people who have an area of expertise and develop that expertise and use recognition. Then let others know: Hey, everybody, go to this expert because they know how to do this. Make sure the experts are tapping into informational and referential power too, so that they're able to expand their power as well.
   

This is key to being a disruptive leader: creating a strong sense of power across your organization, where everybody has power because they have access to information, they are experts or know experts, and they have connections across the organization.

It’s tricky because we’re used to thinking of power as scarce. We think we have to hoard it for our own gain. But in today's information-rich, data-rich, and networked world, the more you share power, the more power you get it. 

I’d love to hear if you agree with this — and with my definition of power. Please hit reply and share your thoughts!

– Charlene

My Latest:

• Do you have enough of the right disruptive leaders to create the change you seek? In my latest livestream, I shared concrete leadership tips on how to develop disruptive leaders that will improve your team’s productivity and harmony.

• In 2008 and 2009, my business was booming. During a recession! How is that possible? What was my company doing differently? Check out Leading Disruption for my insights on positioning yourself for growth, even in the midst of economic upheaval.

• Wednesday, March 8 is International Women’s Day, a day when we celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. I hope you’ll join me for a special livestream honoring this global event on Tuesday, March 7!

Good Things:

• What I’m reading: Tangle, a non-partisan political newsletter, summarizes the news of the day across the politicla spectrum. I find it healthy (and sometimes maddening) to hear a perspective that’s different from mine.

• What I’m amazed by: Wilson debuted an https://youtu.be/dnZomXATXZM at the NBA All-Stars game. Yes, airless! Watch Kenyon Martin Jr. dunk with it and a video from Wilson on how it was made.

What I’m hacking: I love the sous vide egg bites that I first experienced at Starbucks and that I now buy regularly from my local grocery store. But they are expensive! So, I invested in a set of silicon egg bite molds and use this recipe with my Instant Pot. The secret ingredient - cottage cheese!