Tip #8: Influencing without Authority: Managing Up

One thing I have realized in business is that everyone has upward reporting relationships. CEOs typically report to boards of directors. Mayors report to councils and publically elected officials are subservient to the public.

Influencing one’s manager (or other 'boss' figure), however, deserves a special mention. When attempting to drive change upwards, consider the following:

Tip #7: Influencing without Authority: Developing Your Personal Power

There are two types of power in business – positional (i.e. the authority vested in you based on your position) and personal power.

While the use of positional power is sometimes necessary, an overuse of it will quickly erode one’s personal power, leading to a dictatorial style of management.