Office Power Dynamics

Question 1

Why is politics similar to hard currency?

Answer 1

politics clear the path that allows your results to bring you upwards.

Question 2

What should you always record to negotiate your next promotion?

Answer 2

• Record your accomplishments in terms of $$$
• Your next negotiation for a raise or promotion will be much easier when you can drop the evidence on your boss’ desk.

Question 3

In terms of power dynamics, what’s the main difference between technical and soft skills?

Answer 3

focusing on technical skills gives you job security, while focusing on soft skills gives you upward mobility

Question 4

What are the advantages of focusing on technical skills?

Answer 4

• Technical skills matter most at the beginning of your career because your work output
• Their power is the “go-to-guy”
• It’s the name that always comes up when things get complex and people say “oh, for that you need to ask X”. Well, that guy has a lot of power.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of focusing on technical skills?

Answer 5

• you will not advance to board levels on technical skills only.
• Technical people do not call the shots.
• They execute what other people decide.

Question 6

What’s the main soft skill you want to focus if you want to join the decision making power?

Answer 6

• strategic thinking
• executive skills (confidence, power)
• When you hear someone say that they are “upper management material” or they have the potential to be a top leader, it’s because they mastered the “executive skills”. They come across as confident and powerful, they command respect and, sometimes, can also command fear.

Question 7

What is the power of having “friendly” internal relationships?

Answer 7

• Make friends, not enemies
• friendly network vs official network: When you have friendly relationships with people around the company, anything you want to do will come easier. This is even more crucial to large projects
• you must be building relationshipsbeforeyou need them.

Question 8

What are the 2 tips to build a friendly network?

Answer 8

• Accept The Flaws, Love the People
• Avoid Putting Too Many In The “Enemies” Category

Question 9

What are the two types of alliances, to build a “mafia” within the organization?

Answer 9

1. Machiavellian alliances: you support each other at work to increase your personal power (nothing wrong with that unless you truly go out of your way to destroy someone)
2. Genuine friendship: based on emotional bond and mutual liking

Question 10

What are the advantages of belonging to a mafia within the organization

Answer 10

• Increase your negotiation leverage
• Increase your power against bad bosses
• Increase your power to oust bad bosses
• Provide cover against attacks
• Provide support for your ideas
• Report rumors and backstabbers
• Promote you behind your backs

Question 11

Why should you build an “external network”?

Answer 11

The bigger and stronger your external network, the bigger your walkaway power.

Question 12

What is the main tip to build a solid external network

Answer 12

Always go to lunch with someone (new)

Question 13

What’s the difference between line vs staff positions?

Answer 13

• If you work in an accountancy company, then accountants are in the line position and IT and HR are staff positions. If you work in a data center, then IT people are in the line function and accountants and HR are staff positions.
• When a company must fire people, they usually look at staff positions first. And people from line functions have an easier time climbing the organization.