The Power Struggle is Real

Leaders of all shapes, sizes, and colors from various industries, agencies, and organizations wield power—the ability to influence or affect others. Effective leaders exert a balanced combination of positional and personal power. Poor leaders are unaware of the power they wield, or they stay within their comfort zone for the limited power that "suits" them. Leaders receive positional power from a higher authority and personal power comes directly from the leader themselves. 

The responsibilities that coincide with positional power may include the ability to reward or punish, as needed. These kinds of leadership activities usually require the leader to have more information than the rest of the team. Most people have experienced a legitimate, positional power as early as grade school. Teachers wield positional power. They hold more information than their students and reward or punish as they see fit to achieve a change in behavior, attitude, or action. 

Personal power appears easy to grasp because the power need only be referent and competent. But the dynamic nature of personal power is anything but simple and takes time to develop. When the leader shows affable characteristics and traits, the team grows to revere them. When a leader is both likeable and perceived as an expert, the leader wields an exponential amount of personal power. Leaders who balance power effectively, whether it is from their position or their personality, gain leadership advantages. 

Power struggles are not uncommon. But do not think of a power struggle as "leaders versus leaders", or "leaders versus subordinates". Think of it as "leaders learning, through trial and error, the methods and techniques of power that work best for them and their team". An effective use of power takes care of the organization, the leader, and the team by efficiently achieving the goals or desires commonly agreed upon. Reaching an end state as a team is amazing, but additional power-related factors exist.

The Real Power Struggle is Within

The battle for power within ourselves is of great importance. The ability to lead ourself is a prerequisite to leading others. But it is rare to think about the utilization of individual positional and personal power. When did you last consider the impact of the power you exert on yourself?

Everyone has a minimum of two internal voices. One voice discourages with “you can’t”, while the other encourages with “you can”. One voice deters you with “you shouldn’t”, while the other persuades you with “you should”. These voices are a source of power—an ability to influence or affect you, your attitudes, behaviors, and actions.  

Think about how past and present leaders developed their power. What was effective? Do you value or respond to the legitimate power of information, reward, or punishment? Or, do you prefer referent or expert power? The power that attracts you from others will likely influence you as well.

On a team, delineation between positional and personal power exists. Introspectively, though, there is no difference. You are the authoritative figure that grants yourself positional power; give yourself both kinds to lead yourself effectively.

Your personal knowledge is not a secret to you. So, positional power from knowing more information is not effective. But the ability to reward and punish—or coerce—yourself is an option. How do you reward or punish yourself? Analyze the internal voice you listen to and understand the reason, or power, behind it. Are you leveraging positional power over yourself for the betterment of your attitude, behaviors, or actions?

How do you perceive your self-image? Lead yourself with respect and grace, and you will practice a referent, personal power over yourself. Combine respect and grace with personal growth. Become the expert you aspire to be. By combining self-respect, grace, and growing expertise, you can learn to adore the personal power and leadership you exercise over your life. 

Find the leading edge of power. Run fast away from poor leadership practices for yourself. Unlock the hidden leadership advantages in your life by combining your individual positional and personal power. Lead yourself well.

Struggle is inevitable in our paths, but we will continue to learn and grow through trial and error. The power struggle is real, but it likely differs from popular perception. The ability to influence or affect oneself will forever outweigh the ability to influence or affect others. Strive to gain and maintain power over yourself before you wield power over others and you will stay on the leading edge!