How to get more social power at work

Leaders are always trying to figure out how to get more social power at work. So, how do you develop your social power with the groups and teams around you?

To exercise social power over other people, you need to harness various bases of power. There are three broad types here:

1. ‘Innate’ bases of power

These are often taboo in the sense that they are the things that we’re born with that we cannot change – but we need to acknowledge that they are genuine bases of power. They include, but are not limited to:

Gender
Physical attractiveness
Height (for men, at least)
Family name
Skin color
Age
Language or accent

2. ‘Primary’ bases of power

These are things that you can actively work to achieve, and which will help to elevate your power in the system. These include:

Education
Training
Knowledge of the system you’re working in
Your workplace support network
Reputation – what are people saying about you?
Network centrality – do people have to go through you to get things or to get to people that they want?
Allies

3. ‘Secondary’ bases of power

These derive from primary bases of power but reside in the hierarchy:

Hierarchical position
Network and network centrality
The ability to reward and punish
Resources such as team size or P&L control

Key takeaway

Bases of power are mutually reinforcing. If you have more allies in the system, you’re more likely to move up in the hierarchy. And, if you build your reputation so that people say positive things about you, it will help you become a more central player in the system, allowing you to exercise more power in your work environment.

Jennifer Jordan

Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior

Jennifer Jordan is a social psychologist and Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at IMD. Jennifer’s teaching, research, and consulting focus on the areas of digital leadership, ethics, influence, and power. She has received specialized training and certifications in lie and truthfulness detection, as well as in conflict resolution within organizations. She is Program Director of the Women on Boards and the Leadership Essentials program, and co-Director of the Leading Digital Execution program.