From the course: Exerting Social Power: A Solution Engineer's Guide
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Connection power
From the course: Exerting Social Power: A Solution Engineer's Guide
Connection power
The fifth power in our list is connection power. Originally, this type of power did not appear on French and Ravens' analysis, but was added years later. Connection power is a measurement of your social reach. If you have a relationship with an important person who will respond to your communication and then act on your behalf, you have connection power. The depth and breadth of your social network, digital or otherwise, can often determine the strength of your social power. Generally, solution engineers are not expected to have vast connections. To the contrary, this is where a sales team is expected to shine. Solution Engineers are typically expected to know things and perform important functions rather than hobnob with politically connected people. But that does not mean that connections are unimportant or insignificant for solution engineers. Solution engineers are benefited by knowing that connections matter, and they matter a lot. The adage is not what you know, but who you know…
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