Last week we kicked off a series based on reflections I’ve had from working in a central role.  This week we will look at leadership and power.

In my previous role in the business, I was a HCP marketer on a brand team.  I had explicit and formalized power in that role.  I had a dedicated budget that I was responsible for.  I had the ability to make decisions.  In some ways, this made things easy, because if push came to shove, I could just make a call.

I don’t have formalized power in my current centralized role.  I don’t really have a budget that’s truly mine.  I’m working across business units and functions, and I have no explicit power or control.  Let’s be real, no one actually has to listen to me.  I can’t just make a call the way I could in my former job.  Instead, I have to be more thoughtful and intentional about creating a compelling vision, building trust, bringing others along, and giving people reasons to actually want to come along on this journey.

Let’s make some connections.  Think about your favorite leaders you’ve ever worked with.  Think about the people you would be willing to follow.  How many of them would you follow primarily because they have official power?  I’m guessing that number is low.  How many of them would you follow because they did things like care for you, had a vision, brought you along, etc. regardless of them having official power?  I’m guessing that number is a lot higher.  I’d also argue these people are the true leaders.

While having official power can be nice, it is easy for it to be a crutch or a cheat code.  If we overuse it, then we risk people feeling like they aren’t heard or valued.  Being forced to influence without authority is the true test of leadership.  All of this has led to some reflection questions like, “What does my leadership look like?  How can I lead in a way that will make others want to come along?  Where do I need to lean on power vs influence?”

The challenge- Will you take the time to reflect on how you are leading?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry