With power comes responsibility…and with responsibility comes power. Using your power the right way, however, takes finesse.  

To put your power to positive use: 

Know the difference between personal and professional power. 

• Professional power is attached to your job title and reputation among your co-workers. You leave much of it behind when you switch jobs. 
• Personal power comes from how you relate with others. Personal power travels with you – no matter your role or job title.  

Understand what each type of power allows you to do. 

• Professional power, also called positional power, gives you the power to take specific steps within the organization. Examples: 
  • Placing orders for supplies 
  • Delegating work to others 
  • Rewarding or reprimanding others  
• Personal power gives you experience and knowledge others can respect and trust.  

These two forms of power often overlap – but not always! 

• You may be known as a source of knowledge even if you don’t have power to change the workings of the organization.  
• Likewise, you may have a lot of positional power but be relatively uninformed about day-to-day operations.  

Cultivate your personal power.  

Because personal power is individual, you can develop it – and you can take it with you wherever you go, inside and outside work.  

Three ways to cultivate personal power: 

• Consider your character. Others trust you when your behavior is consistently honest, thoughtful, and kind. Consistency in these positive traits is a reliable source of personal power. 
• Sharpen your skills. Others respect your abilities when they see your skills in action at work. 
• Practice your presentation. The way others see you affects their measure of your personal power. Ask for feedback on your work and approach to better understand how you come across.  

Protect your professional power. While much positional power is linked to a specific role, you can build a foundation to "ramp up your professional power quickly when it’s time to switch jobs. 

Three ways to cultivate professional power: 

• Navigate your network. Networking connects you to others in your industry who can vouch for you and help you seize opportunities as they arise.  
• Cash in on communication. Communication skills are essential in every workplace. They’re also your key conduit for cultivating positional power. Time spent on communication skills is always time well spent.
• Lean into leadership. Leadership behaviors demonstrate to others that they can safely follow you. Focus on decision-making, resilience, compassion, delegation, and active listening.
• Seek a sponsor. A sponsor is a mentor who isn't attached to your current job. They’ll offer guidance and support throughout your career. A recruiter can be an excellent sponsor when you’re looking for work or considering a career change.  

Relationships are key...  

…in building both personal and positional power at work. When your relationships are strong, you don't often have to fall back on your positional power to get things done.  

Three ways to cultivate relationships: 

• Identify people you'd like to get to know better in your organization or industry. Prioritize working on your relationships with those you need to get things done. 
• Look for ways to build relationships, including pitching in on projects or participating in workplace social events.
• Reach out to recognized experts when you need help. Working with a recruiter, for instance, helps you build relationships while you’re seeking work.