Positional Power

Always be aware of your positional power. Ask yourself: "can the person or people you are speaking with ask, answer, and act the same way you can without having to think twice about it?"

Another way to think of this framework is to ask yourself, "is there a default correct answer for the question I am asking?" If there is a default correct answer, most likely you have more leeway to deviate from the default response then someone whom you have positional power over.

For example, if you are the boss and you ask someone, "can you work this weekend to get this project done?" you are abusing your positional power. Your subordinate can't ask you the same question. And your subordinate undergoes unneccassry stress as they calculate the best answer. 

This is a common one that I am also guilty of. You just finished pontificating on a new strategy or tactic. You finish up by asking, "does anyone have any comments, concerns, questions?" If you have positional power asking that question is bogus. As a leader you need to devise creative ways to empower your people to be honest and comfortable while being honest.

In the first example, you should simply tell (not ask) your subordinate what you want and why, instead of drenching them in unnecessary stress. Own the fact that you are asking them to do something they may not want to do. Don't make them suffer by forcing them to try and figure out how to please you. If you cannot tell them to do something directly, then you need ask yourself if you really need it. 

In the second example, your question is innocent. Yet, it would be better to use a rigorous evaluation framework to rate strategies with your team. This removes the emotion and eliminates the truth distorting powers of positional power. 

I promise you, if you put your positional power in check in all situations you will become the kind of leader people beg to follow. The kind of leader that people always tell the truth to. The kind of leader people will nearly die for.

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