If you read today’s email, then you have fallen under my influence!

Colleagues,
 
MVP: Expert power comes from being able to help someone grow or achieve something.
 
I want you to read this email every day. I am intentional about trying to get you to read it. 
 
By intentionally trying to influence you, I am wielding power.
 
But most of you reading have never met me, so how can I use power on you?
 
Why did you open this email today?
 
What are you looking for?
 
For most of you, you are hoping to learn something useful and you believe I can help you learn it. In believing I can help you learn something important, you have imbued me with expert power.
 
Expert power arises when we believe someone can help us learn or progress in a direction we value. Expert power is non-hierarchical. I am using it right now with you, but you could schedule a call with me and share experiences of your own leadership and the tables would be reversed. You would be the expert wielding power over me!
 
Today’s intention: Do a quick count of some of the people you work with or follow on social media whom you view as experts. Think about what you have learned from them and recognize that they used their power to do so. Does that diminish the value? Why am I using the word power instead of influence?

Cheers!

Frederick