GoalModels
How to Lead When
You’re Not the One
in Charge!
Maggie McHugh-Parrish
GoalModels, Inc.
Maggie@GoalModels.com
Atlanta, GA

GoalModels
Agenda
•WHY?
WHY?
•Power
Power
•Building Power
Building
•“Leading Sideways”, the art
Sideways”
“
of Initiating Change
Direct Methods
Indirect Methods

GoalModels
What is POWER?

GoalModels
Power is the potential to
mobilize energy.*
*Kathleen McGinn, Elizabeth Long-Lingo, Power and Influence: Achieving Your Objectives in
Organizations (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School, 2002, 9-801-425)

GoalModels
Power ≠ Authority

GoalModels
•Formal power is usually important
Formal
only to those of us who don’t have
don’
it.
•Most of the power someone else
Most
has exists because we think they
have it.

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isn’
So Power isn’t all
about POSITION or
being “the person in
charge.”
charge.”

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Personal
Power
Relational
Positional
Power
Power

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Your values,
Personal beliefs, skills
Power
Relational
Positional
Power
Power
Your ability to
influence, form
coalitions, network

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Build Personal Power
1. Know Yourself
-what’s really important to you?
-what do you “stand for”?
-what “rules” guide your life?
2. Listen to Others
-more than you talk
-openly

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Build Personal Power
3. Abandon thoughts of extrinsic rewards
4. Create your own intrinsic rewards
-personal growth, self-reliance
-professional satisfaction
-honoring your own values
-great examples for future job
interviews☺

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Build Personal Power
5. Abandon competition and develop
collaboration skills
6. Be open in your dealings: share
information freely
7. Learn to initiate: don’t wait to do what
needs to be done

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Build Relational Power
(the ability to influence)
1. Identify people who share your values,
beliefs, goals
2. Work with others face-to-face
3. Try to accept ambiguity
4. Accept that understanding ≠ agreement
5. Have confidence in your power

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Build Power
Always ask “What am I
doing that’s not
working?”

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What we’re really
talking about here is
HOW TO INITIATE
CHANGE when you’re
not in charge.

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Nobody likes change
except a wet baby

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“Lead Sideways” by
Initiating CHANGE
Direct Methods rely on
“Personal Power”
Indirect Methods rely on
“Relational Power”

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Top 10 Methods to Initiate Change
1. Make a proposal for change via a
“white paper”
2. Request that your issue be placed
on the agenda.
3. “Idea-a-month”

GoalModels
Top 10 Methods to Initiate Change
4. Encourage creativity among others.
5. Get an assessment of your “change
leadership” ability, then choose a
skill to improve.
6. Cultivate a network of like-minded
people

GoalModels
Top 10 Methods to Initiate Change
7. Initiate a lunch/dinner with those who
might work on your change idea.
8. Be a “cheerleader for change.”
9. Ask why your ideas weren’t accepted.
10.Collaborate with a competitor.

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Just try it
Lead Change
sideways!

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Two “positioning” exercises:
•INDIRECT: Network Mapping
(why does visualizing help?)
•DIRECT: White Paper Draft
(take an opportunity to work!)

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Mapping Your Key Network
Outside Your Organization Inside Your Organization
Jama
Sharon
Bill
Pat
Vicki
Debi
ME
Cheryl
Pam
Daniel
Carl
Natasha
Tracey

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White Paper Preparation
1. Write two sentences to define the issue/problem/need that
will be addressed.
2. Explain your idea to solve the problem using 50 words or
less.
3. Who is the audience? Who will make the “go/no go”
decision?
4. Who else needs to be consulted or involved in developing a
final draft of this white paper?
5. What is your plan/timeline for completing and submitting this
white paper?

GoalModels
Maggie McHugh-Parrish
GoalModels, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
Maggie@GoalModels.com