Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, in many colleague relationships there is a power differential, often based on each party’s status in the organization and who has more control over what the other needs at a given time. For instance, the engineering leader whose team ultimately determines a product line’s time-to-market may hold more power over the sales leader trying to deliver for impatient customers, and the leader of a mature and “unexciting” business unit may find their needs consistently deprioritized by the IT department, which is rushing to support a fast-growing division, instead.
4 Ways to Earn the Respect of a More Powerful Colleague
Strategies to balance the power dynamic.
July 03, 2023
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Summary.
When you are stuck in an unequal power dynamic, it helps to remember that not only is the placement of power temporary, but you can equalize it. In this article, the author outlines four strategies you can use to creatively pivot in the moment and frame the connection differently, so that you are building the respect you deserve and positively shifting the perception of your power.