October 7th, 2015 Susan Freimark, M.A., L.P.C. Power, Politics, and Influence

Power and Politics There are two important elements in your academic success Substantive subject knowledge Organizational or political knowledge and skills

Powerful vs. Powerless Think of a time you felt powerful. What were you doing? What was the setting? Who was there? What helped you to feel powerful? Think of a time you felt powerless. What were you doing? What was the setting? Who was there? What elements contributed to your feeling of powerlessness?

Organizational Politics Every organization has its own invisible nervous system of connection and influence Occurs when there is uncertainty, shifting of power, or change Rarely discussed or made blatant Translate to power and trade If you feel you have less access to power, you are less likely to engage in, and make use of, organizational politics

The Social Network of Your Department In the center of your paper, write the name of the most powerful person in your department Place each person, including yourself, on the paper with corresponding distance to the power source

What is Political Awareness? Politics is “power in action” although many people view politics as something dirty and sinister Ability to read the political and social currents in a department Knowing how one gets rewarded Accurately reading key power relationships Detecting crucial social networks Understanding the forces that shape the views and actions of others Knowing who is legitimately in charge Accurately reading organizational and external realities Knowing if you are being “coerced” or free to make decisions

“ Power inevitably means both responsibility and danger.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Danger and Responsibility Danger Implies control, dominance, manipulation Power Over Responsibility Implies and obligation to Power To

Sources of Power Position Power Legitimate Based on a person holding a formal position Reward Based on a person’s access to rewards, resources, or information Coercive Based on a person’s ability to punish Personal Power Expert Based on a person’s expertise, competence, and information in a certain area Referent Based on person’s attractiveness to friendship with others

Factors in an Individual’s Reluctance to Engage in Politics View of competence Belief one lacks in comparison to others Assume authority is in another’s hands Self-confidence Feeling of being non-legitimate and unknowledgeable Aversion to politics Past socialization Magical thinking Want to think the world is predictable and comprehensible, and thus potentially controllable Owning personal power Don’t want to seem aggressive or assertive

Overcoming Power Blocks Authority Need to find comfort with legitimate asks Assertiveness You have a right to express your concerns Accountability Learn to delegate Accessibility Set boundaries Affiliation Broaden your relationships Approval Differentiate between a piece of work and you are as a person Affability Give yourself permission to be authentic

The Difference Between Power and Influence Influence The exercise of power to change the behavior, attitudes and/or values of individuals or groups The impact of one person over another Power The ability or official capacity to exercise control or authority A strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted

What Is Influence? It is about relationships Having a positive impact on others Persuading or convincing others Grabbing someone’s attention Getting others to listen to what you have to say

The Emotional Intelligence Levels of Influence Engaging the audience when presenting and involving them in discussion Anticipating the impact of your action or words by persuading or appealing to peoples’ self-interest Using direct influence by getting support from key people Developing behind-the-scenes support

Three Types of Influencing Tactics (Baldwin and Grayson) Logical Influence (head) Taps into people’s reason and intellect Show how it will help the organization or individual Emotional Influence (heart) Connects your message or goal to individual goals and values Develop a clear and appealing vision Cooperative Influence (hands) Builds a connection between you and the person or people you want to influence

Delivery Strategies to Influence Successfully Focus Energy Organization

Focus On the audience What’s in it for them? On yourself How am I coming across? On the content Am I remembering all the important details?

Energy Action “Growing roots” Strength in belief Am I letting the audience know how much I believe in this? Enthusiasm Am I showing my commitment to this issue?

Organization Know what you want the audience to do as a result of your presentation or message Build a solid foundation of information Know the points you want to make Use data where you can Show the impact of the point you are trying to make

Think about a meeting or event that is coming up where you will need to influence a person or a group. To prepare, consider the following questions What is the situation? Who am I trying to influence? Is it a group or an individual? What is important to them? What outcome do I want? What influencing strategies do I plan to use? What feels natural to me? What points will I make? How will I know if I am successful?

“We can remain on the outside, refusing to play because we don’t like the rules, but remember: Those who don’t play don’t usually get to make or change the rules. Only the insiders, the players, have a chance to modify them.” - Natasha Josefowitz