The formal lines within organizations are often clear. But that doesn’t mean that influence always flows through those lines. This is where power dynamics come into play, also known as the informal network. If you want to exert influence, it’s essential to learn how to navigate the power dynamics within your organization.

The Impact of Power Dynamics on Decision-Making, Communication, and Collaboration

In every organization, power dynamics are present that influence the dynamics of decision-making, communication, and collaboration.

In the final years of my salaried employment, I was completely fed up with the company I worked for. I had just started my own business and wanted to resign. I discussed this with a woman who worked closely with the Board of Directors. She told me about an upcoming reorganization where 1,000 people would be laid off—still a secret. She said, “You need to keep your head down and wait it out. If you resign now, you won’t get any money. If you wait for the reorganization, you’ll get a nice severance package.” If I hadn’t had her in my informal network, it would have cost me at least 100,000 euros. It wasn’t just that she played a role in my power dynamics, but she was also willing to share this information with me. In other words, you can have many people in your power dynamics, but they need to be willing to do something for you.

How Power Dynamics Can Influence Your Career and Job Satisfaction

In my early years at the energy company, I quickly became bored and wanted to make a career move. I told my manager this, but he didn’t immediately see many possibilities. I also quickly realized that there weren’t many options within my department. If I had only looked at the formal lines, my only option would have been to leave. I then went for coffee with the HR advisor who was involved in my recruitment. I asked him for advice, and he shared an unwritten rule with me: “Apply elsewhere, and if you get an offer, tell me. Then I’ll tell a few directors.” So it happened, and in no time, a great role was created for me within the organization.

If I hadn’t had that coffee moment and received that advice, I probably would have left the organization. Instead, I got a fantastic role and a matching salary.

Your power dynamics can also provide you with information about future job openings. You can ask others to put in a good word for you. And don’t forget, you can do a lot for others as well. It’s basically the same as networking, but within the organization.

Why Fighting Against Power Dynamics Is Pointless

During my coaching sessions, I often say: learn how the game is played. It’s pointless to go against power dynamics unless you decide to seek your fortune elsewhere. Suppose you enter a meeting wanting to push through a decision. You’ve fully prepared and present it. There’s a good chance that no decision will be made or that people will vote against it. In the meeting, people look at the informal hierarchy. Who has the most influence? If that person says yes to your proposal, the rest will follow. So you need to make sure that you discuss your proposal with the most influential person before the meeting. Do you think that person is too far removed from you? Then find someone in your power dynamics who can put in a good word for you.

It’s a common mistake to think that decision-making happens during the meeting. Often, it’s already determined in informal conversations beforehand.

Why Navigating Power Dynamics Is Essential

It’s clear that navigating power dynamics is essential. Otherwise, you simply won’t get anything done. Years ago, when we wanted to take on a project at a large transportation company, it turned out that the director’s second-in-command was also a close friend. They shared a lot of information and coordinated decision-making. Once we realized that, we knew we had to ‘manage’ not just the director but also his second-in-command. Had we not done that, we would never have received follow-up assignments.

You can really increase your impact and achieve your goals by effectively leveraging the power dynamics.

How Do I Recognize Different Power Dynamics?

Depending on your goal, you’ll be dealing with different power dynamics. In my example, where I wanted to make the next career move, I dealt with different power dynamics than when I decided to leave the organization.

Other forces are also at play within an organization that may not directly apply to your goals but are still worth considering.

Mary, whom I coach, wanted to get a promotion within her department. There were several roles available. She made her ambition known within her power dynamics. Her manager was also aware of her ambition but seemed to be stringing her along. What was the reason? Her manager had already been approached for another position and wanted to leave the decision-making for Mary’s promotion to her successor. However, she couldn’t communicate this directly because the promotion of this manager had not yet been announced.

In this example, Mary only discovered much later what was really going on. Even in her warm internal network, she didn’t get this information. This illustrates that even if you have your power dynamics in order, you can never be 100% sure about the forces at play outside of them.

It remains important to constantly observe, think about the various interests at play, and keep an eye on the power relations.

Men and Women in Power Dynamics

It can be exhausting, especially for women. Almost all women, until they work with me, have no experience with creating power dynamics. Boys learn this at a young age. They play in groups and quickly learn who the best soccer players are, who bakes the best cookies, and who is the smartest. They experience power dynamics in a playful way. Girls, on the other hand, often play in pairs and only later encounter broader power dynamics in the workplace. There’s often a gap in experience with power dynamics.

How Can I Strengthen My Position Within These Power Dynamics?

Even if you might have a gap in creating and using power dynamics, there’s definitely hope! My advice is to find a mentor when you want to start mapping out your power dynamics. Someone who is very good at it and has a strong internal and informal network. Often, this is someone with the Hermes archetype: a person who likes to show how strong their power dynamics are.

Also, keep networking, networking, and networking!

In another blog, I will draw a power dynamic map using a concrete example and delve into concepts like allies, enemies, coalition partners, and opponents. Be sure to read that too, create your own power dynamic map with your mentor, and get started!