These ‘powerful behaviors’ make a big difference
Some people seem so effortlessly effective that they make you wonder if they were born with a magical quality.
But after 15 years of researching human behavior, I have good news. Influence is not a fixed personality trait but a set of learnable actions.
In my book “Managing: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge,” I break down how to build authority in the workplace, based on my experience mentoring thousands of top performers at companies like Google, Amazon, and JPMorgan.
There are things you can do to be taken more seriously, get your ideas validated, and become someone leadership looks for; Even if you’re an introvert, still trying to climb the ladder, or new to your industry.
Here are the five most powerful behaviors you can start using right now, based on five different types of power, without turning into manipulative nonsense.
1. Make clear decisions
When a meeting goes on a cyclical basis, influential people step in and say, “We’ve covered the options. It looks like we’re leaning towards X, so we’ll start with that. Sound good?”
This role power Take action, using your authority to make decisions within your sphere of influence. Most people avoid role power because they don’t want to appear controlling. But the fact that everything is a committee decision creates more confusion.
Try this: Next time someone brings up an issue, don’t let it float around like a hot potato. Assume responsibility and assign ownership, “I’ll coordinate with legal. Gerald, can you handle the marketing?”
2. Know others generously
Effective people do not accumulate credit. Them Spreading appreciation early and often.
This creates reward poweror your ability to give people something they want. When you make others feel seen, they will do whatever they can to help you succeed.
Try this: Give voice to a team member each week via email or team chat, or during a meeting. Don’t just say “the team did a good job”, make your praise personal and specific. For example, “Pooja’s idea saved us 10 hours of developer time!” or “Many thanks to Rafael for his analysis pointing out this risk.”
3. Project competence without complacency
You may be the smartest person in the room. But if no one is looking for your input or you have no knowledge, your knowledge means nothing. He respects your opinion enough to act on it.
This is the difference between expertise and expertise. expert power. While expertise is measured by your skill level, expert power is about whether people trust your insights.
Try this: Use experience after “What if” and “I wonder” to avoid sounding like a know-it-all. For example, “What if we tried adjusting the price? I’ve seen this work for similar products in the past” or “I wonder if we took processing time into account since a two-week delay was added before.”
4. Hold others accountable
Even the best people have to push the limits. When someone misses deadlines or violates rules, influencers address the situation calmly and directly by: coercive power.
The ability to punish people is the form of power you least want to use, but sometimes it may be necessary to maintain standards and keep the culture safe.
You can use this even without official authority, as long as you are in a situation where you are responsible for an outcome, such as running a meeting or managing a particular project. But context is important. You can keep your peers You may be responsible for being disruptive, but you will need to be more careful when talking to a superior.
Try this: Name the pattern, specify the effect, and set an expectation. This might look something like this: “I noticed you talked about Carol twice yesterday. When people interrupt you, they stop talking. From now on, please let people finish their thoughts before jumping in.”
5. Pay attention to personal details
What if you could gain power just by being who you are? This reference powerThis comes from people who want to be associated with you because of your character and values.
Effective people do not approach relationships transactionally. If you make people feel seen and valued, they are more likely to trust you, support your ideas, and want to work with you.
Try this: Make a reminder and follow up when someone shares something personal. “How was your daughter’s recital?” It takes 30 seconds to ask. or “Did the kitchen remodel go well?” But it creates deep harmony.
The best part is that these behaviors increase. The more you use them, the more natural they become and It can affect what you build without even trying.
Melody Wilding, LMSW executive coach, professor of human behavior, and “Managing: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge.” Get the free training, 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader, Here.
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