The Magic of Personal Power

Position or Person? Power Unpacked

When I was 21, I worked in a café with the most official looking manager you could imagine. Let’s call him “Bob.” Bob had a name badge, a crisp black shirt, and a voice that could cut through the hiss of the coffee machine. He also had something else—positional power. His title alone meant that everyone had to listen to him… at least, in theory.

Then there was Sarah. Sarah didn’t have a title. She wasn’t even a supervisor. She worked the busiest shifts, remembered every regular’s coffee order, and could calm down even the grumpiest customer with a single smile. Staff followed her lead—not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

One day, the coffee grinder broke during the morning rush. Bob immediately barked orders—“You, grab the spare! You, re-route the queue!”—but the team was flustered. Sarah, on the other hand, slid into action. She reassured the customers, handed out free muffins, and got the grinder fixed without raising her voice. The chaos subsided—not because Bob was “the boss,” but because Sarah had something Bob didn’t: personal power.

What’s the Difference?

Positional Power comes from the authority your role gives you. It’s written into your job description, your org chart, and maybe even your email signature. Think: manager, CEO, team lead. You get the power by being in the position, but it can vanish the second you step out of it.

Personal Power, on the other hand, comes from you. It’s built on trust, credibility, and relationships. It’s the influence you have regardless of title—earned through competence, empathy, and the way you treat people. You keep it even when the role changes, and often, it follows you from one organisation to another.

Why Positional Power Isn’t Enough

Titles can open doors, but they don’t guarantee loyalty or respect. If people only follow you because they have to, your influence is limited. The moment they’re free to ignore your instructions—like when you’re not in the room—they will.

We’ve all worked with someone who technically had authority but inspired nothing but eye-rolls. Their decisions may have been followed in the short term, but they rarely sparked genuine commitment or enthusiasm.

The Magic of Personal Power

Personal power is a slower burn but a brighter light. It comes from showing you know your stuff, that you care, and that you’re trustworthy under pressure. People follow you not out of obligation, but because they believe in you.

Leaders with personal power create teams that will go the extra mile—not because they’re told to, but because they want to contribute to that leader’s vision. It’s a force multiplier in any workplace, whether you’re running a start-up, leading a shift, or coordinating volunteers.

Building Personal Power (While Using Your Position Wisely)

For emerging leaders, the sweet spot is blending both types. Use your positional authority to create clarity, set direction, and make decisions when needed. But invest heavily in the trust, skills, and connections that make up personal power.

Here’s how:

1. Listen more than you talk – People feel valued when they’re heard.

2. Deliver on promises – Reliability builds credibility faster than any title.

3. Give credit, take responsibility – Leaders who do this earn loyalty.

4. Be human – Humour, empathy, and humility are powerful connectors.

Back to Bob and Sarah

A few months later, Bob left the café. His authority vanished with his final shift. Sarah stayed—and when the owner needed a new manager, guess who got the job?

Sarah already had the loyalty of the staff, the trust of the customers, and the knack for solving problems without drama. When she finally gained positional power, it amplified her personal power instead of replacing it.

The Takeaway for Emerging Leaders

A title might make you a manager, but it doesn’t automatically make you a leader. Real leadership influence comes from personal power—the trust, respect, and relationships you build every day.

In the long run, your role might get you in the door, but who you are will keep you in the room.