Expert Power: How To Cultivate It in Your Organization
.jpeg)
What is expert power?
Expert power refers to the power acquired by one’s unique skills and abilities. An individual with expert power is assumed to have a higher level of knowledge and experience and so, has greater influence over others.Having a formal leadership position or managerial title does not guarantee expert power, nor does it mean you are in a leadership position. Any employee that has specialized skills that no other employee possesses has expert power. The key to attaining it is being the only employee offering an organization a particular skill.APA Dictionary of Psychology defines expert power as “a capacity to influence others that is based on the assumption that the influencer is highly skilled”.
Why is expert power important?
Expert power usually stems from hard work and sacrifice. When this type of power is prominent in the workplace there is an organic culture of respect and cooperation between employees on all levels.It is a legitimate form of power that is ethically acquired and naturally commands respect. Employees are inspired to work hard by the achievements of the experts rather than being controlled by fear of punishment as seen with other forms of power such as coercive power.Expert power was first defined in French and Raven’s 1959 paper ‘The Bases of Social Power’. The paper claims that “the more legitimate the coercion the less it will produce resistance and decreased attraction". Developing experts in your organization fuels a positive power structure that is driven by ethical and highly skilled individuals.
Benefits of expert power
- Ethical method of power acquisition
- Employees are more open to direction from experts
- >Opens employees up to better opportunities
- More efficient decision making
- Unique insights into problems
- The workforce has a competitive advantage
- Employees learn from the unique skills and experience of experts
Drawbacks of expert power
- Experts may fear the loss of power should they share their knowledge
- May result in knowledge hiding
- Respect and power diminish if other employees upskill
- Innovation will suffer over time if knowledge is not shared
- Experts must constantly develop their skills and ensure they are the only
How to cultivate expert power within your organization
Attract the right talent
Attracting good talent will contribute to the level of expertise within the organization. The recruitment department must be on board with the company’s intentions to develop expert power. Training recruitment teams to recognize experts or potential experts and offering incentivizing packages will increase the number of experts you attract into your organization.
Develop existing talent
Invest in your employee's learning and development with training courses and educational grants. Not only will this increase engagement, motivation and retention, but will also develop the talents of existing employees to eventually reach expert status. Offering a digital coaching program is also an excellent way to accelerate the development of experts in your organization. A coach can help employees identify areas to specialize in, set objectives and guide their development toward ethically attaining expert power.
Retain experts
Know who the experts are within the organization and invest in them. It is vital to retain the experts that are already present. Experts are constantly learning so invest in their education and training and offer them coaching programs to increase their company loyalty.
How to develop expert power personally
Define your practice
What exactly do you want to be an expert in? The first step is to clarify what area or practice you want to specialize in. Evaluate your strengths, have a clear understanding of your industry and know the skill gap in the workforce. Make an informed and well-thought-out decision and devote your focus to this area. Working with an experienced coach can help you highlight your objectives and define a path to becoming an expert.
Improve skills and education
Once you have defined your area of expertise you must begin to acquire the expert-level skills and knowledge necessary to attain expert power. Invest in courses, read the material and work with a coach to keep you on track. The key is gaining the skills that nobody else can offer so focus on developing the skills that nobody within your organization has.
Learn from existing experts
Study your industry and identify existing experts. Understand how they reached their level of expertise and learn from their experience. Finding a coach that specializes in coaching experts in your field can be very beneficial.
Cultivate an expert reputation
Begin to create an image of an expert within your team. Be proactive in problem-solving and decision-making. Offer yourself as a mentor and volunteer for any training opportunities. Remain calm in a crisis and confident in your abilities. Be willing to help others, maintain credibility and give expert advice to your teammates.
Always be learning
Becoming an expert in any field is a continuous commitment and a life-long journey. You must constantly stay informed on industry changes and changes within your organization to ensure you maintain your ‘expert edge’. Develop a continuous practice of learning and upskilling.
In conclusion
Expert power is a valuable asset to any organization. This type of power inspires employees to reach a high level of skill and knowledge while ensuring that power structures are legitimate and ethically earned. Knowledge hiding may become common but this can be eased by providing security and increasing the personal power of your experts. Coaching can play a vital role in nurturing your employees to reach expert-level status. Providing a consistent coaching program retains talented employees and accelerates the growth of their expert power.
FAQ
At CoachHub, we believe in the power of aligning individual growth with organizational objectives. Our dedicated coaches work closely with coachees to ensure that their growth plans are directly linked to your company's overarching goals. This includes addressing specific leadership development needs within different departments or teams, and recognizing that each area may have unique challenges and requirements.
To achieve this alignment, we collaborate closely with our clients and their senior leaders, taking the time to understand their organization's specific challenges, objectives, and organizational culture well. By gaining deep insights into your company's dynamics, we can tailor coaching plans that address the specific needs of different teams and individuals.
Our approach is highly customized and adaptable. We recognize that each coachee has unique requirements, and we leverage our expertise to develop coaching plans that are relevant and effective for all participants, regardless of their role or level within the organization. Whether it's helping to develop leaders, retain talent, improve leadership skills of middle management, or support C-suite executives, our coaching programs are designed to cater to diverse needs and ensure maximum impact.
By aligning growth plans with your company's objectives, we create a cohesive approach that enhances overall organizational success. Our coaches help coachees identify areas for improvement, set meaningful goals, and develop actionable strategies to bridge the gap between their current competencies and the desired leadership abilities. This alignment not only facilitates personal and professional growth but also contributes to the long-term success of your organization.
With CoachHub, you can be confident that our coaching programs are tailored to address the specific leadership development efforts within your organization. By collaborating closely with our clients, we ensure that our coaching plans are relevant, effective, and aligned with your company's objectives, driving growth and excellence across all departments and levels.
At CoachHub, we understand the importance of scalability when it comes to your leadership development program. That's why our programs are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a large number of participants simultaneously, ensuring that organizations of all sizes can benefit from our services. Whether you have a small team or a global workforce, our coaching platform is equipped to handle the scale.
With our advanced digital coaching platform, we bring high-quality coaching directly to employees all over the world. The beauty of our online sessions is that participants can access them from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility empowers employees to engage in coaching without geographical constraints or time zone limitations. Whether they're working from home, traveling for business, or stationed in a different country, our platform ensures that they can easily connect with their coach and participate in sessions at their convenience.
The digital nature of our coaching platform also means that participants can enjoy a consistent and seamless coaching experience, regardless of their location. Through video calls, instant messaging, and other interactive tools, our platform fosters a sense of connection and engagement between the coaches and participants. This virtual environment not only saves time and resources but also allows for regular and ongoing coaching support without the need for in-person meetings.
By leveraging the power of technology, our scalable coaching programs break down barriers and provide accessible coaching solutions to organizations and individuals around the globe. Whether it's a small team or a multinational corporation, our platform ensures that every participant can benefit from high-quality coaching, anytime and anywhere.
Absolutely! CoachHub's leadership development program is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing talent development and performance management initiatives. We understand that every company has its own unique needs and goals, and that's why our coaching sessions are completely tailored to meet those requirements. Whether you're looking to strengthen leadership skills, foster personal growth, or achieve organizational success, our program aligns perfectly with your company's specific objectives.
By customizing our coaching sessions, we ensure that each individual receives the guidance and support they need to thrive. We take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and then craft a coaching experience that caters to their personal growth journey. This way, we can provide targeted development opportunities that directly contribute to their success within your organization.
When you integrate our program with your leadership development efforts and performance management initiatives, you create a powerful synergy. Our tailored approach complements and reinforces your existing efforts, allowing you to build a comprehensive framework for maximizing the potential of your workforce. Together, we can create an environment where employees are motivated, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to excel.
So, rest assured that with CoachHub's leadership development program, you can easily integrate coaching into your existing initiatives and achieve remarkable results that align with your company's requirements.
.png)
