You can increase your power to influence. Power is something you have, whereas influence is something you do.
Power in organizations has three sources. Positional, Relational, and Personal. So don’t forget, there is more to power than position.
Of course positional power is based upon the position you hold in the organization and includes authority, reward, and coercive power bases. The right to give orders, the ability to give people things they want, or the ability to punish people or take things away. Positional power resides in the authority to act and to control resources that others want or need. So put yourself in position for promotion.
Relational power takes in account the informal power that comes from and through your relationships with others. It is based upon your ability to form coalitions and collaborative relationships. Enhance your relational power by demonstrating leadership, trustworthiness, and concern for the interests of others.
Personal power is generated from within the individual. This power is based on general knowledge, technical competence, and ability to articulate ideas or a vision that others are willing to support and follow. Develop expertise that others value, communicate your ideas and views in compelling ways, and demonstrate focus and enthusiasm.
You can increase you power to influence.
Understand your positional power boundaries, support subordinates to get jobs done, and secure and defend your positional power. Form collaborative relationships and build coalitions when necessary. Study your industry and your competition and share your insights and increase your power to influence.