Calculating our informal power, Pt. 2

By Brian Maynor

 

Yesterday we explored informal power, namely what it is and how we calculate it. If you missed the article, you can find it here:  https://midlandsbiz.whosonthemove.com/calculating-our-informal-power-at-work-pt-1

Now that we know how to conduct our own informal power audit, the next thing we need to look at is improving it.

Here are four ways we can bolster our informal power standing and thus our value:

1.   Balance existing relationships. This is the first step we should take when working to improve our informal power ‘score’, especially if we are receiving significantly more value than we are giving.  The idea is to find ways we can be more valuable to our contacts, and that is usually through offering a unique skill set.  Think of it like being an expert or resource no one knows about.  Once we have identified our unique skills we can proactively work toward using them to help others.

2.    Look for workflow intersections. This is a blending of both our formal and informal power, because we are using one to benefit the other.  When we proactively look for places where our job intersects with other areas of our industry we can more easily reach and contribute to internal and external people we may not have had access to before.  This can happen through cross-functional projects or even just making new connections.

3.    Connect on a personal level. Think about the people we have personal connections with, no matter how large or small the connection we view them differently and hold them in a separate place than acquaintances we only know professionally.  This is a very powerful and simple way to exponentially increase our informal power with others because we are then able to bring value to them on an entirely new level.  It doesn’t require us to become best friends with everyone; we simply need to push past the professional sphere and get to know them on some personal level.

4.    Always keep our eyes open, especially outside of work. Whether it’s a professional association or a social one, any time we are interacting with someone else we have an opportunity to improve our informal power quotient.  Some of the most successful and beneficial leads come from unlikely sources, so we should never underestimate any interactions.

It is easy to take a cynical approach to cultivating our informal power, but if we really look at the concept we’ll see it is based on each side offering a balanced, mutually beneficial value.  Without balance relationships won’t last and we will either replace them with one else or they will replace us, which defeats the entire thing.  So instead of thinking “what can this person do for me?” we should think about how can we help each other.

 

 

I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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