Expert Power Breeds Respect in Leadership - By Fred Layman

This blog explores the steps that you can take to build your own expert power.

You gain expert power when you show a high level of knowledge or a great level of skill that people around you see, need and want. They will likely come to you for advice and want to follow your lead.

Unlike power that depends on your formal position, expertise is personal to you. Anyone can possess it, no matter what their level or grade within their organization. You might be the sole member of a team who understands a software program, for instance, or the go-to person for industry knowledge.

Expert power is a great asset to have.

It provides leaders with a robust power base from which they can manage people confidently. According to Fred Layman USPTA, expert power is more important than reward-based or coercive power in leading people effectively. If you have expert power, your team is likely to be more open to your efforts to guide them, and you'll find it easier to motivate them to perform to their full potential.

Expert power can also help you to get noticed, which allows you to craft a higher-profile role. It can help you to build up your own personal brand and increase your influence and reputation at work.

Expert power doesn't just benefit you, either. Your expertise means that others will naturally look to you for direction. They will put their trust in you to make wise decisions and produce good results. At the same time, they'll learn from your unique skills and experience when they work with you.

But remember that you will need to constantly develop those skills and knowledge to keep hold of that expert power.

Fred W. Layman III, USPTA Elite, Director of Operations the Windermere Club, is the president of an Augusta, GA based Club Consulting Company, Fred Layman Ventures. His articles can be viewed on FredLayman.