The paths to power: How to grow your influence and advance your career | Jeffrey Pfeffer (author of 7 Rules of Power, professor at Stanford GSB)

Jun 13, 2024 1h 22m 22 insights Episode Page ↗
Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford GSB, discusses his "Seven Rules of Power" to help listeners grow their influence in life and business. He explains why building these skills is crucial for career advancement and getting things done, despite initial discomfort.
Actionable Insights

1. Reframe Power as a Tool

Understand that power is a neutral tool, not inherently good or evil, and that good people need to acquire it to create positive change. This foundational shift helps overcome discomfort and enables you to pursue power for beneficial outcomes.

2. Prioritize Competence Over Likability

Focus on performing your role effectively and achieving results, rather than constantly worrying about being liked by everyone. While not actively seeking dislike, prioritize competence and respect to get things done and advance.

3. Suspend Judgment of Colleagues

If someone is on your critical path for a task, suspend personal judgment about them and focus solely on the need for their collaboration and cooperation. This enables you to build productive relationships even with people you may not personally like.

4. Seek Coaching and Accountability

To master new skills and overcome discomfort with power-building, actively seek coaching and build a personal ‘board of directors.’ These individuals can provide advice, social support, and accountability to help you push past your comfort zone.

5. Actively Practice New Skills

Don’t just read or learn about power; actively implement and practice the principles you learn. Consistent practice, even in small steps, is crucial for internalizing new behaviors and making them stick.

6. Set Clear Career Goals

Begin by defining what success looks like for you and what you want to accomplish in a given period. This goal-setting provides direction and increases the likelihood of achieving your desired outcomes.

7. Develop a Personal Plan

Assess your strengths and weaknesses related to power attributes (e.g., energy, focus, conflict tolerance) and create a plan to develop specific areas. This targeted approach helps you build the qualities necessary for influence.

8. Build a Powerful Brand

Differentiate yourself and ensure key decision-makers know who you are and the value you bring. Combine substance with visibility, creating value for your organization and yourself to advance your career.

9. Reframe Self-Promotion Mindset

View self-promotion not as ego-driven, but as amplifying your team’s impact or scaling your knowledge and contributions. This mindset shift can make you more comfortable with increasing your visibility.

10. Network with Generosity

Approach networking by focusing on what you can do for others, offering help, and making introductions. A broad, generous network provides access to diverse knowledge and opportunities.

11. Strategically Identify Key Contacts

Make a list of 10 people whose acquaintance would be important for your career goals, then devise specific plans to meet them. This targeted approach ensures your networking efforts are focused and effective.

12. Pursue Weak Ties

Actively build connections with people who are different from you and outside your immediate circle. Weak ties often provide non-redundant information and access to new opportunities that your close network might not offer.

13. Overcome Ego and Ask

Don’t hesitate to ask for help, opportunities, or anything else you need, even if it feels uncomfortable. The worst outcome is a ’no,’ leaving you no worse off than if you hadn’t asked.

14. Break Conventional Rules

Challenge existing norms and rules to stand out and become memorable, especially if those rules favor existing incumbents. Disrupting the status quo can create new pathways to success.

15. Mobilize Resources & Act

When in a position of authority, actively use your resources and influence to achieve objectives. Successfully completing tasks will lead to more resources, opportunities, and further power.

16. Demonstrate Your Power

Project confidence and leadership to naturally attract followership and influence others. People are often drawn to and respond to visible displays of power.

17. Master Powerful Presentation

Focus on how you look and sound, as these aspects often influence perception more than the content of your words. Practice body language, voice modulation, and eye contact to appear more commanding.

18. Avoid Preemptory Apologies

Refrain from starting comments or actions with disclaimers like ‘I don’t know if this will be useful’ or ‘Pardon me for interrupting.’ Such apologies disempower you and signal a lack of confidence.

19. Use Expansive Body Language

Employ more gestures, maintain an open body posture, and use a louder, more confident voice. These non-verbal cues project power and presence.

20. Command Your Material

Thoroughly understand and master the subject matter you are presenting or discussing. Deep knowledge allows you to speak without notes and project expertise, enhancing your perceived power.

21. Recognize Success Forgives Past

Understand that once significant power and success are achieved, past missteps or unconventional methods are often forgiven, forgotten, or overlooked. This perspective can alleviate fears about the journey to power.

22. Push Beyond Comfort Zone

Incrementally challenge yourself to do things slightly outside your comfort zone, applying the ‘15% rule.’ This gradual expansion is key to personal growth and skill acquisition.