How to Manage Your Position of Power

2023-04-19T01:17:51+00:00

By Publisher

Power can corrupt.But, the nature of power is neither good nor bad; rather, it assumes the character of the user. You will even hear some people say that power is bad. Well, it is the misuse of power they mean, not power itself.A Leader can use power to create, influence, empower or suppress people.How individuals use power depends on their ethos, views, what they believe and represent.Power doesn’t just come, it emanates from a source – varying sources.The sources of power are: legitimate, referent, expert, reward, coercive and informational.I’ll not dive into discussing these sources of power, but rather focus on steps you should take so that you don’t abuse power.What is power?It is the ability to influence the behaviour of people with or without resistance by using tactics to push or prompt their actions.It is also the ability to get things done even though others resist. The tactics of power follow three dimensions: behavioural, rational and structural.Power is such that, even two friends are likely to use it in different ways.This depends on their experience, education and perception of certain issues.If you want to be the person everyone will submit to when you have power then follow these steps:

Acquire knowledge

Lack of knowledge could be a big challenge. What you need is, seek to understand what your roles are and what needs to be done.A good knowledge of your role will help define your powers and the boundary of your limitations.A lack of knowledge in understanding your role might cause confusion and extend to rebellion.

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Start with yourself

You cannot properly use power when you don’t understand yourself.Identity crisis is one reason people abuse power.You need to be self-aware to understand that you are not better than others because you have powers at your disposal.You need to learn to hear the views of others and not be autocratic.Take the time to grow, establish a bond of relationship and seek to understand others.

Take charge

Don’t be a weak leader.If you cannot control your emotions, then you’ll find yourself in an emotional trap when making decisions.Execute a good sense of judgement in chaotic situations. Make yourself that person who will step out to give the right answer to the confusion of your followers.Inspire people’s confidence as you take charge.

Be direct

Make sure you are direct when you discuss issues. Attack the issue and not the people.When you attack people instead of the issue, they build a wall of defence against what you’ve said.This makes them respond with an attack.Appoint a leader for every team.Define roles and responsibilities, to diffuse assumption of duties.Review every process and appoint the person who knows how to execute your instruction; get feedback when it’s done.

Drive every action

You should drive every action to the letter.You can achieve this by getting feedback on every task.When you send people on an errand get feedback.For instance, Generals are always at the forefront of any war. They are there to drive every instruction to execution.Keep a high energy level with your team.Don’t get involved in the process yourself, but you should oversee what they are doing.

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Be their friend

People respond to those they see as their friends. The best way to get along with your subordinates is to be friends with them.

Say thank you

Learn to say “Thank you”.A “Thank you” could do the magic.Show your followers gratitude and then encourage them to take the next step.When they do something exceptional, make sure you celebrate them.