The Power Position

There are times when high school conclusions are actually borne out throughout subsequent adult experiences.

In high school, I decided to run as class rep in the student council versus president.  Why?  Okay, probably I had the sense that I wouldn't get enough votes to win the president's chair. . .but I also had the sense that as a rep I would have more power.   The president's position was largely one of organizer and moderator. . .many of the ideas and measures that moved the student body forward were borne out of the rep population.

Consider that this is true in many businesses - the base of power is not in the top-most office, but often in the organizational tiers.   Often those not in the top job have the opportunity to create a greater presence, a collaborative network and generate more ideas.

There are two important criteria to consider:   how does the organization function and how does one create power?.

If the organization is very "paternal" and all ideas must originate with the very top leadership and everyone else is expected to just execute, this idea is null and void.   If, however, the organization is more open, a team member can be very powerful within many different organizational tiers.

The opportunity to make this happen is comprised of these simple things:

Feel like you have ownership within the organization.   "I can make this happen" is miles away from  "I just come to work and do what they tell me to do."

Collaborate.  Bounce ideas back and forth.   Create conversations and generate ideas with others.  This neatly ties in with. . .

Network.   Get out of your silo.    Create camaraderie.     And in the end. . .

Generate great ideas that drive the business and make the team more accomplished.    The end result is that you become one of the more powerful people within the organization.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"   is available on Amazon Kindle for e-readers, tablets and PCs.