Power by Pfeffer

Pay attention to the small tasks - the mundane details of execution to control resources, visibility, and the opportunity to build important relationships.

[link to book]

Don't put too much faith in the just-world hypothesis [you can still believe in your fellow humans but it is more of a hope for the best, plan for the worst situation]. If you put your head down and do your job you will not get as far ahead as you will if you actively manage your career. The best way to secure your career and make work work for you is to accrue power.

Get noticed. The "exposure effect" allows people to become familiar with you and your brand [that you are going to actively manage, right?]. You can't be promoted if you can't be remembered. 

Remember what matters to your boss. Ask them. Can you ask for help, advice, and mentorship while still conveying competence?

Make others feel better about themselves. Flatter people [read elsewhere that research has shown there is actually no upper limit where flattery doesn't work - why would you look under the hood when this person is so obviously digging you?]. People like similarity. Write Thank You Notes.

You need to believe that personal change is possible to develop the qualities you need. What are the qualities that you need? You have to be able to project confidence and self-assurance [this book is not about the technical proficiency that you need - and likely have - for your job].

Can you get advice from others that are more skilled than you? You want a coach or mentor that will tell you the truth about yourself.

What are the seven qualities required for your power journey?

Will:

1. ambition
2. energy - to get things accomplished
3. focus - on the core skills of your job and company

Skill:

4. self-knowledge - do you have the discipline to write it all down in the notebook [journal your fears, mistakes, possible improvements you see, What Went Well (after action review)]
5. confidence
6. empathy with others - can you put yourself in someone else's position? can you recruit others to your "side" rather than winnning [and making an enemy (or rather someone is not actively on your side)]
7. capacity to tolerate conflict - if you can handle it, you have an advantage over most people.

Acquiring Power

Go to unexploited niches within your company. Can you find a neglected area where you can build leverage and power? Will this area become more important in the future? [what do you know that no one else knows?]. Take a look at departmental power. Look at relative pay, physical location, positions on committees, and senior management.

Stand out and break some rules. The status quo was made by the already powerful to protect what they have. Asking for things works. It is uncomfortable but you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Flatter in your ask - do it in a way that enhances their self-esteem. Likeability from being likeable is over-rated - power and success create likeability.

Keeping Power

Reward your friends and punish your enemies. To do that you need to acquire resources:

• budget
• staffing
• information
• social support and friendship
• help in doing their job

Controlling budget and staff is a powerful resource but even doing small favours can produce a comparatively large payoff. Can you build a resource base both in and outside of your work?

Networks

Networks take time to build so you need to be strategic. Make a list of people that you want in your network and work towards making that happen. Your weak ties will be more valuable than your strong ties [because your strong ties have all the same information and know the same people]. Don't forget to maintain and use your network - don't just build one. Be the middle of your network - be indispensable.

Acting and Speaking with Power

Be your best self [really, who would want to be someone else when you could be you on your best day!]. The suggestions in this section are about acting in a powerful, forceful, and confident way. Are these things you could practice with peers or an acting coach?

Building a Reputation

Perception is reality so this is important. Carefully construct your image [you really do have one chance to make a first impression]. Can you write articles for to bring visibility to you [and your organization]? This would also help you clarify your thinking. If you are uncomfortable doing self-promotion, find an advocate [is that your mentor? boss? former of either?]

Overcoming Opposition and Setbacks

Try a little tenderness and leave people an easy way out [don't put an opposing army on the death ground]. Force is not met with counter-vailing force [the Tao]. Don't cause yourself unnecessary problems by looking for the hard way (even if you are good at it). Ask yourself what victory would look like. Are your actions helping to bring that about? [begin with the end in mind - this is a question you could continually ask yourself - I oughta make a list of these questions].

Don't take things personally - make important relationships work. Be persistant. Advance on multiple fronts. Make your objectives seem compelling. "Act as if" - project power and success even if you are struggling at the time.

The Price

When you get the power you've striven hard for there will be more visibility and public scrutiny. You will have less autonomy. There is a lot of time and effort required. Power is an addictive drug - when will you have enough?

How and Why People Lose Power

You can come to be overconfident, disinhibited, and ignore the interests of others. You may have too much or misplaced trust. You may just get tired of the game and lose your patience. The world may change and you are too inflexible in your tactics. Can you leave gracefully?

It's easier than you think. Take care of yourself; don't expect justice. Pay attention to the small tasks: the mundane details of execution to control resources, visibility,  and the opportunity to build important relationships.