He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

If you have no ambitions of acquiring power you will be pushed aside by others who do. Power is simply a tool to influence individuals and starts with the perception of power and an unequal balance of dependence. Gaining power is easy, holding power is extremely difficult.

Sources of power.

Legitimate.

If you have control over a resource that is required for an individual to achieve their goals, you hold legitimate power over them because you have created a dependence that cannot be avoided.

Reward.

Having control over rewards valued by others is a source of gaining reward power. If you influence who is chosen for promotion to a position in your company you will have high reward based power over employees seeking that promotion.

Having control over rewards valued by others is a source of gaining reward power. If you influence who is chosen for promotion to a position in your company you will have high reward based power over employees seeking that promotion. Coercive.

If you give direct or implied threats and have the ability to apply punishment you will have coercive power. An example of coercive power is having the ability to fire employees under you even if you never intend to use it.

If you give direct or implied threats and have the ability to apply punishment you will have coercive power. An example of coercive power is having the ability to fire employees under you even if you never intend to use it. Expert.

Expert power is the capacity to influence others by possessing knowledge or skills that they value. If you’re the only developer on a project that fully understands the undocumented code, others are dependent on your knowledge.

Contingencies to power.

Substitutes

Your power will increase when few or no alternatives exist and erode when any alternatives are available. Reduce substitutes through control of key resources with the ultimate goal of a monopoly over that resource.

Your power will increase when few or no alternatives exist and erode when any alternatives are available. Reduce substitutes through control of key resources with the ultimate goal of a monopoly over that resource. Centrality

Centrality is the degree of interdependence between the power holder and others around them. You will have a higher centrality when you have the ability to affect many people quickly.

Person A has high centrality, person B has low centrality.

Discretion

Discretion is the freedom of judgement and decision making. Rules and regulations limit discretion. Discretion is linked to your personal perception.

Discretion is the freedom of judgement and decision making. Rules and regulations limit discretion. Discretion is linked to your personal perception. Visibility

When you are known to hold valuable resources you have highly visible power. You can increase your power visibility by public displays of power.

How to win power.

Re-design yourself.

Do not accept the current role others have placed on you. Create a new identity that is compatible with your goals and one that commands respect.

Do not accept the current role others have placed on you. Create a new identity that is compatible with your goals and one that commands respect. Never outshine those with power over you.

When you challenge another individuals power you will be dealt with quickly. Only challenge another individuals power if you have no dependence on them.

When you challenge another individuals power you will be dealt with quickly. Only challenge another individuals power if you have no dependence on them. Stay hidden.

Never reveal that you are a skilled manipulator. It can be beneficial at times for others to think you are weaker than them. Revealing your true intentions gives others power over you.

Never reveal that you are a skilled manipulator. It can be beneficial at times for others to think you are weaker than them. Revealing your true intentions gives others power over you. Appeal to self-interest, not mercy.

When seeking a favor, reinforce what benefits you can offer in return. Appealing to their mercy will only weaken your position and your request will likely be ignored.

When seeking a favor, reinforce what benefits you can offer in return. Appealing to their mercy will only weaken your position and your request will likely be ignored. Utilize countervailing power.

Countervailing power is the capacity of a person, team or organization to keep a more powerful person or group in a relationship. An example of countervailing power is if you have a large social media following you control substantial influence which can be used as a source of power against even the largest corporations, you control a legitimate threat.

Countervailing power is the capacity of a person, team or organization to keep a more powerful person or group in a relationship. An example of countervailing power is if you have a large social media following you control substantial influence which can be used as a source of power against even the largest corporations, you control a legitimate threat. Avoid vulnerable people.

Other’s misfortune can easily become your own. Only associate yourself with those where the risk is worth the potential gain.

Other’s misfortune can easily become your own. Only associate yourself with those where the risk is worth the potential gain. Avoid burning bridges without reason.

If you have no reason to permanently end a relationship you will only weaken your position by doing so. Power balances can change quickly and you may be left on the wrong side.

How to hold power.

Deal with challengers quickly.

Do not try to negotiate with anyone who threatens your power. Remove their influence by isolating them whenever possible. If you allow someone with conflicting goals to build power there is no room for you both to grow.

Do not try to negotiate with anyone who threatens your power. Remove their influence by isolating them whenever possible. If you allow someone with conflicting goals to build power there is no room for you both to grow. Enable your friends to gain power.

Placing people friendly to you in positions of power that don’t conflict with your position will always be beneficial to you. With that said, you should never put too much trust in friends, their allegiances can change quickly and quietly.

Placing people friendly to you in positions of power that don’t conflict with your position will always be beneficial to you. With that said, you should never put too much trust in friends, their allegiances can change quickly and quietly. Stay silent whenever possible.

Stay silent and let others reveal their plans. People underestimate those who are quiet and you can use this to your advantage. While acquiring information and planning, staying quiet will allow you to be perceived as less of a threat.

Stay silent and let others reveal their plans. People underestimate those who are quiet and you can use this to your advantage. While acquiring information and planning, staying quiet will allow you to be perceived as less of a threat. Reputation is everything.

Protect your reputation at all costs. Your reputation determines what amount of influence you will have over others. Half of your power will come from reputation alone. A damaged reputation will be seen as vulnerability to those that want to challenge your position.

Protect your reputation at all costs. Your reputation determines what amount of influence you will have over others. Half of your power will come from reputation alone. A damaged reputation will be seen as vulnerability to those that want to challenge your position. Concentrate your power.

Focus and consolidate your power on your strongest keys to power. Spreading your power too thin will allow others to challenge you.

Even the most powerful people in the world are dependent on others and no one will ever truly have your best interests first, always guard your interests.