Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills 73. Office Politics Decoded: 5 Types of Power to Build Influence Without Playing Dirty
Nov 12, 2025
Explore the five types of power that shape influence in the workplace. Discover how to leverage role and reward power to gain respect and make impactful decisions. Learn the risks of coercive power and the importance of expert and referent power in building trust. Reflect on diagnostic questions to identify your power bases and prioritize their strategic use. Tune in for practical insights that transform office politics into a navigable terrain, allowing you to enhance your communication skills and leadership presence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Gravitas Gap Explained
- The gravitas gap is the mismatch between your accomplishments and how you're treated at work.
- Melody Wilding says this gap often stems from how you communicate and present yourself, not from lack of competence.
Power Has Five Learnable Bases
- Power at work breaks down into five replicable bases you can learn and use strategically.
- Once you see these, power dynamics become visible and you can change what you say yes to and how you position work.
Use Role Power To Decide
- Use role power to make clear decisions when consensus stalls and priorities blur.
- Avoid overusing it to prevent resentment, but don't shy away from directing work when needed.
