Original subtitles

Hello everyone, my name is Rebecca Barks and today we're going to be talking

about the differences between positional and personal power in project

management.

So the first one we're going to talk about is positional power.

When discussing positional power, we refer to a person's ability to control a

task or group of people based on their position of authority.

For example, a military commander has positional authority over a squadron.

Each section reports to the commander, and the commander sets the priorities

each team.

The commander holds the positional authority to reward a person or enact

disciplinary actions.

These similar skills can be translated into project management.

So when we think about positional authority, we can start with the project

manager. The project manager is basically responsible for all the tasks

happen within a project.

This is ensuring that all the deadlines are met. This is ensuring that the

stakeholders' requirements are met and meeting frequently with the project

sponsor. They also have the ability to put people in certain

leadership positions within the group.

So with their positional authority, they can delegate that person A is in

charge of acquisitions and person B is in charge of finances.

based upon their skill set.

Now, positional doesn't mean that they're all -encompassing, that they

the authority.

They also have to look at who their bosses are.

So their positional authority can be over the group, but in general,

they usually are under the control of whoever is sponsoring, or if in this

they're under the control of the project management office, if a company has

one.

The second type of power we're going to be discussing is personal power.

So personal power is taking aside the title in the corner office and thinking

about the impact that that one individual has. What experience do they

can have a great impact on the project?

I think for me, when I think of personal power in terms of project management,

it's the ability to impact change with the people around you.

How are you taking care of your people? Are you making sure that they're getting

the support and resources they need?

Are you making sure that basically the higher aren't bearing down on them, that

you're kind of being the barrier?

So that's your personal power.

And for me, I think ways that I want to improve my personal power is being able

to provide a place of development and growth for my people.

Not only that, but growing in my subject matter expertise. So being the person

who is knowledgeable in their trade and their craft.

And then also being able to just grow personally as a leader,

knowing where my limitations are and how I can develop altogether.

So those would be how I would compare and contrast personal power versus

positional power.