Expert power is the strength derived from a deep, specialized understanding of a subject. It allows individuals with expertise to influence others and provide valuable information. This power can make a team more efficient and productive. However, it can also lead to tunnel vision, as excessive focus on expertise can lead to rapid obsolescence. In a constantly changing world, the value of being an expert is greater than the ability to exert influence through continuous expansion of one’s area of expertise. To develop expert power, one must understand its importance, create their own, and empower their team members.
Read through to understand what expert power is in leadership and its advantages and disadvantages.
What Is Expert Power in Leadership?
Expert power refers to a person’s ability to demonstrate knowledge in a specific area or situation, regardless of their position. For example, if one employee has the unique knowledge to operate a particular software, they hold expert authority. This allows a department to diversify its skill set and undertake various tasks and projects.
Expert Power Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages of influencing experts that might assist your place of business:
#1. It may help in motivating your crew.
If you are the leader of a team and have expert power, using this talent in a way that inspires confidence in your team members might assist in encouraging your team. If a manager judges the project’s strategies and objectives based on the team’s knowledge, the team may be more excited about the project.
#2. It may be beneficial to the advancement of your career.
When you demonstrate the most expertise on a topic, your coworkers will likely take note of this, regardless of whether or not you are a team leader. This is especially true if the topic or task at hand is one in which you have a great deal of experience and expertise. Your expertise not only demonstrates that you are capable of working efficiently, but it also has the potential to boost your reputation, which can lead to you having more significant influence in your place of employment.
#3. It increases the capabilities of your team.
When working on various tasks, a team’s capability increases in direct proportion to the number of members on that team who possess expert power. Because they are better equipped to deal with a wide variety of obstacles, a team that has multiple expertise exudes greater assurance. Because of this, the team manager will be able to delegate duties according to the expert powers of each team member. This may increase the manager’s confidence in the team’s ability to complete various projects.
Expert Power Disadvantages
Although having expert power in the workplace can be beneficial for any department, there are a few downsides associated with having it. The following are some of the disadvantages associated with having expert power in the workplace:
#1. The more you use something, the less power it has to influence you.
Although possessing expert power makes you and your team more effective, actually employing it will always reduce the amount of expert power you have available. For instance, if you know how to successfully execute a complicated audit, demonstrating that ability in front of your entire auditing team on several occasions throughout the year can eventually teach others how to duplicate your performance. Consider continuing to improve your expertise by continuous study so that you hold more knowledge than your coworkers in your area of expertise, even after sharing part of your knowledge with them. This will allow you to stay ahead of your coworkers in your expertise.
#2. Maintenance is necessary for expert power.
Through consistent practice and study, you can earn and maintain the authority of an expert. This indicates that when information expands, evolves, and is updated, so should the knowledge that you possess. For instance, a person who is an expert in history should continue to familiarise themselves with historical theory by studying information and keeping up to speed with academic dialogues in this field.
Expert Power Example
In the following, we will look at some examples of expert power in the workplace:
#1. Expert power possessed by team members
An employee who is the only person in a department who knows Spanish possesses expert power in this field, particularly if learning an extra language enables one to take on new tasks because of its opportunities. This employee’s specialist knowledge can be used by translating documents and assisting customers whose primary language of communication is Spanish. When an employee wants to move to a new position or ask for greater responsibility, they should think about referring to their expert power if it is beneficial to the department.
#2. Expert power possessed by a management
When the company takes on new projects, a manager with expert power in selling things or ideas can assist in making a department prosper and contribute to the company’s overall success. A manager who possesses this expert power can more effectively pitch ideas to top management and use their skill in persuasion to better lead their team in the many tasks they are working on. It’s also possible that the manager can resolve potential conflicts or set higher expectations for the department more effectively.
How to Build Your Authority as an Expert
Take into consideration the following actions to build your authority as an expert:
Pick a subject to focus your attention on.
Spend time learning about the field, speciality, or ability you want to become an expert in. To become an excellent coder, consider taking formal coding classes or using online tools to develop this talent. After that, you should continue to practice coding on your own.
Make the most of your chances in the workplace.
You can only exercise your expert power if you demonstrate it in your current position. You can demonstrate the knowledge you’ve obtained on a topic by acting confidently and displaying your talents whenever your coworkers need them while you’re at work. Even though being an expert could take some time, honing your skills is one of the most important steps in becoming proficient.
Improve your ability to lead others.
It may be easier to demonstrate your expert power if you have leadership talents. You will be able to communicate the information in which you are an expert to your coworkers, managers, and outside stakeholders if you have confidence in what you have to say and can articulate your thoughts clearly. If you ever want to move up in the management ranks at your company and take on a more official leadership role, developing your leadership abilities is essential.
Conclusion
Expert power is a valuable source of influence in leadership and can be derived from specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise in a specific area. It is important for individuals to continuously increase their knowledge base and cultivate critical interpersonal skills to boost their expert power. However, it is also important for experts to remain humble, avoid disregarding others’ opinions, and constantly learn and evolve to maintain their power. Expert power can have a positive impact on teamwork, communication, and the growth and development of individuals and organizations.
FAQs
What is the difference between reward power and expert power?
Expert power and reward power are two types of power that individuals can exert in a workplace setting. Expert power is the ability to influence others with superior knowledge or skill in a particular area, often associated with credibility and respect. It can motivate team members, improve decision-making, boost career advancement, and contribute to leadership development.
However, it requires maintenance and diminishes the more it is used. Reward power, on the other hand, is based on the ability to reward and motivate employees. It can promote teamwork and healthy competition and demotivate those not on top of the scoreboard. It can be used tactically and sparingly, depending on the sector. Both expert power and reward power can be practical tools for leadership and management, but they should be used appropriately and in conjunction with each other to maximise their impact.
What is the source of expert power?
Expert power is derived from specialised knowledge, skills, or expertise in a specific area and is often associated with credibility. It is available to everyone and can improve teamwork and communication. However, it has drawbacks, such as the need to maintain power, as outdated knowledge or skills can lead to loss of power. Experts can also be wrong about things, making them less trusted by peers.
To boost their expert power, individuals should focus on increasing their knowledge base and cultivating critical interpersonal skills, such as selecting their area of interest, building expertise, improving communication, becoming a problem-solver, sharing knowledge, and remaining humble.
What are the different types of expert power?
Expert power is a type of power identified by John French and Bertram Raven in the early 1960s. It is derived from a leader’s knowledge, expertise, and skills in a specific area, making them credible and competent. Expert power allows leaders to influence co-workers across all levels of the organisation, steering the growth and development of individual colleagues and the company. In the medical community, physicians with expert power are often referred to as thought leaders.
In trial law, prosecutors and defence attorneys call expert witnesses to add credibility to their cases. Subject matter experts or SMEs refer to qualified specialists with a reliable track record. However, developing expert power requires convincing others of one’s expertise and constantly learning and evolving. Experts often view their business through their expertise, disregarding others’ opinions and missing the bigger picture. In summary, expert power is a significant source of influence in leadership, fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.
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