- Personal power is the ability to influence people and events. When you have personal power, your confidence and experience make you a natural leader.
- There are two kinds of personal power: expert and referent. Expert power relies on using your knowledge, while referent power is about using natural charisma.
- Develop personal power by using a growth mindset to build your communication skills and confidence. Maintain your integrity no matter how influential you are.
What is personal power?
Personal power is the capability to influence other people and events. It’s a state of mind and an attitude you adopt around others (often in the workplace). Personal power isn’t the same as formal authority; rather, it comes from within you. Having strong personal power means you’re focused on developing self-confidence and the ability to lead others by example. It involves being assertive, respectful, driven, humble, and consistent. In short, personal power allows you to bring about change through self-management—knowing how to act and what to do in different situations.
Why is personal power important?
Personal power is important because it can enrich your life and others. In a professional setting, someone with personal power (who is assertive, reliable, and knowledgable) is more likely to be respected and taken seriously. Positions of power give you authority, but personal power gives you the drive to get where you want to in your life and career. It also enables you to get other people to cooperate, work together, and collaborate with you. As you embrace your personal power, other people are more likely to get on board and follow your lead. When you have personal power, you believe in yourself—thus, other people will believe in you, too. In short, developing personal power is a key step in becoming a strong and inspirational leader!
Types of Personal Power
Referent Power Referent power relies on excellent interpersonal skills. Having referent power makes you approachable and charismatic—the kind of person others gravitate toward and listen to because you come off as confident. After all, when you listen to someone with referent power and confidence, it tends to leave you feeling inspired or comforted in turn. Natural charisma can really motivate people! Referent power doesn’t mean being manipulative; it just means commanding respect through the way you present yourself.
Expert Power Expert power relies more on knowledge than natural charisma. When you have expert power, it means you’ve got a lot of know-how on a particular subject—and people likely defer to your authority because they recognize that power. Having expert power makes you an influential person in the workplace because others likely look to you for advice, strategies, or input on important decisions. Expert power and referent power are equally important, but it’s okay if you don’t have both. Even having one or the other gives you a great deal of personal power—and it’s never too late to develop your power further.
Examples of Personal Power at Work
Asking for a promotion with confidence As you progress in your career, there may be times when you feel like it’s time for a promotion. You’ve worked hard and earned it! By asking for what you want with confidence, understanding what your boss is looking for in an employee, and articulating your case convincingly, you’d be using your personal power to get the promotion. Often, personal power can be the factor that helps you get a promotion over someone else if there’s competition. For example, say you and another employee request a promotion. You speak with conviction, while they come off as nervous and unsure of themselves. Between the two of you, you’re more likely to get the promotion.
Sharing expert knowledge through a presentation When you give a presentation, you’re using personal power to educate and communicate with other people. The more confident, well-spoken, and prepared you are for the presentation, the more likely your audience is to be super engaged and interested in what you have to say. When you feel confident and powerful, that naturally translates into your delivery when you speak!
Overcoming opposition calmly and respectfully You’re not always going to agree with everyone you meet throughout your career; sometimes, you may come across someone who criticizes or even openly opposes you. However, by remaining calm and collected under pressure, you have the power to diffuse the tension between you and this other person and navigate the conflict in a respectful way.
Being a strong, motivational team leader Being a team leader is inherently a position of power, and by using your personal power as well, you can empower the people working for you. Confidence naturally makes you seem more authoritative, and when you have a clear vision of the work you want to accomplish, your team is more likely to listen to you, agree with your ideas, and flourish under your leadership. Remember that being a team leader also means being receptive to their ideas and open to new perspectives. Doing so may help you win the respect of your team and create a more unified group.
Personal Power vs. Positional Power
Positional power comes from holding a position of authority over people. Conversely, personal power comes from within—it’s not something you’re given but something you develop yourself. Of course, it’s possible to have both personal and positional power, and using your personal power to further your career may also lead you to acquire positional power. There are 3 main kinds of positional power: Legitimate positional power. This comes from holding a job title that gives you authority within the limited hierarchy of the business. Coercive positional power. This more controlling kind of positional power often relies on punishment or manipulation. Reward positional power. This comes from the ability to offer incentives that help you influence other people.
How to Develop & Use Personal Power
Be aware of the power you already have. The first step to using personal power is knowing you have it. You always have the power to control how you act and present yourself, and when you’re aware of that power, you’ll be able to use it effectively. Everyone is valuable in their own way—and so are you! Then, once you develop that self-awareness, use it to work on your personal and professional goals. For example, when you’re aware of your personal power, you might realize that you can use it to network and build more connections in your industry. Alternatively, you might realize that it’s time to tell your boss that you feel like you deserve a raise. In other words, awareness can give you the motivation to go after the things you want.
Adapt a growth mindset and invest in yourself. A “growth mindset” is simply the idea that you can develop your talents with hard work and a positive attitude. If you want to increase your personal power, focus on honing your communication skills and developing self-esteem—things that are most valuable to leaders—along with any additional talents that might apply to your specific profession. For example, with a growth mindset, you might set out to develop stronger project management or research skills if those are aspects of your job. It takes time, commitment, and sometimes money to pick up new skills, but by investing in yourself, you’re giving yourself the tools you need to succeed in the long run.
Show integrity and consistency. Like positional power, personal power can be abused. The goal of using personal power isn’t to coerce people into doing what you want or force them to depend on you. So, consider why you want to develop personal power and make sure that, no matter what, you always act according to your moral compass. Behave respectfully and reliably so the people you lead know they can always trust you.
Stay grounded and reign in your ego. Success can sometimes make people become too ego-driven and focused on their own achievements. While your success is certainly important, remember that other people often contribute to that success too. Do your best to stay grounded, no matter what: recognize the people who have helped you get where you are, and express gratitude for the support you get in the future. Having personal power means being confident but also humble. Your goal isn’t to brag about your accomplishments or remind everyone of your authority but to become the best version of yourself and lead by example.
Use your influence to empower the people around you. A key aspect of personal power is helping other people succeed as well. As you embrace your personal power, be sure to share your knowledge with others and encourage them to invest in themselves the same way you do. Listen to your colleagues and offer them support when they need it—and do the same for friends and family. Set a precedent for positivity wherever you go! The more effort you put toward inspiring and motivating other people, the better your work environment will likely be. Using your personal power also allows you to build a network of equally dedicated and talented people who will encourage you to do your best work, just as you do for them.
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