3 Ways of Becoming a Person of Power and Influence in the Workplace

Everyone desires to be powerful. A fact check at the workplace indicates that, nobody wants to be a subordinate. Everyone wants to be in the top 2% of the movers and shakers of their industry. In short, they want power -- the central force around which creation takes place. One observation is that, everyone can generate a force of power around him/herself no matter where s/he is placed in the hierarchy of the industry. It doesn’t matter the nature of the industry. You can benefit from the insider power if you would let it out. The things around us are manifestations of that power put to use by others.

The world has been deceived to see power as only emanating from an election. And that one gets power when s/he is elected either by an electoral college or by the people of a nation. Or at the industry level we only respect those appointed into top positions. We all have a perverse idea about power. Power has been entrusted to every soul on this planet. Now while some are clueless about their gift, others have gained enormously from putting into good use their gift of power.

In this piece, I will share with you some simple steps that when followed would transform your inactive power into one of a force in your industry.

1#: Personal philosophy:

What’s your personal philosophy? What are the beliefs you hold close to your breast? What would your boss or co-workers remember you for in your absence? Personal philosophy (ies) or belief(s) is the idea or set of ideas that rule your actions and inactions and interactions in the course of the day. It dictates your response to situations. Are you firm, incorruptible, a disciplinarian, honest, loyal, and decisive in whatever you do? What about a person of integrity? Do you tell others “let’s sit down” while you stand up? Know: your personal belief acts as a rope on which others climb to reach you when they need that special person to do something worthwhile. Your boss will connect to you if s/he is convinced of your personal philosophy. If s/he knows you’re the right person to get the stuffs done.

2#: Appearance:

In this world, your appearance weighs a million pounds while your speech weighs just a hundred pounds. The way people relate to you is primarily a consequence of your appearance. How do you look in a mirror? How do you appear to your workplace? Do you look even or rugged in your dress? Whatever the industry you find yourself always aim to dress sharp and tact. Endeavor to be at your best in your look. Your clothes should be evenly pressed, hair well-trimmed, nails cleanly cut and shoe silkily polished. You attract eyes towards you when you appear sharp in your outfit. They don’t tell however, people would like to connect to others who are cleaner and sharper in their appearance. And to do this, you have to raise your appearance consciousness level to an all-time high. Your appearance should matter wherever you are going. There’s this strategy I learned while growing up and for many years, this has proven useful. I always stimulate my appearance a day ahead in a mirror to save myself from any surprises. I will dress and take to the mirror to judge my look -- in a kind of mirror judging mood. I learned the power in appearance while staying in Liberia. It doesn’t matter how much you know your appearance counts much more. Liberians value how you look no matter how meaner you are. I learned to adapt to fit into this new eye-opener situation.

3#: Respect Transition:

I can say a lot about this point. I have, since taking up leadership positions from High school days to present, respected transition. I detest ‘old boyism’ that has engulfed the leaders of our region. Nobody wants leave office once taken. Everybody wants us to believe that it’s good to be in leadership position for long. They cite so many funny stories and history lessons sometimes to their own chagrin. Then suddenly they begin to lose that power they have grown accustomed to holding unto. Nothing in this world is built to last. All the things around us may survive some centuries but not eternity. Like the elevator speech metaphor, leadership should be same. Brevity is the word. Longevity is the beginning of delusion and sickness. Respecting transition has to do with learning to grant others the opportunity to lead and helping them to do so without hindrances. It has more to do with weaning yourself from the drunkenness that power generates. I have aimed not to be in a leadership position for more than a year. I know people will say you cannot get a lot done in a year. Well I have done this severally and it’s been fantastic. So long as my orientation remains intact, I aim at pulling off the best spectacle no matter the period. There are times people who supposedly have handed over a leadership mantle would lurk in the shadow to decide who takes over from them. And the disappointment is that, they lurk in the shadow for so long that they begin to lose credibility for what they do. My advice to those in similar situation is for them to get out so long as you’re out. What’s the need in remaining there? Reputation is wealthier than wealth. And you would create lasting impression when you learn the power of respecting transition.

In whatever you set out to do, remember the power of brevity. We tend to remember those persons in our lives who have had a flashlight-like impression on us -- those who came to our lives for a brief moment. They wield so much influence than those who’ve stayed for long. So much power would be placed at your disposal if you would be appearance conscious, act out your personal philosophy and would respect transition. The power is yours for keep.