Background to the Personal Power Diagnostic

Okay, there's so much more we could say about the diagnostic, but rather than try to predict what you want to know, here's a long page of regular questions we get asked about the Power Diagnostic. If you get to the bottom of this page and still have questions, please contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.

Why was the Personal Power Diagnostic developed?

Our original research studies into organisational power go back to an initial study in 1999, which was presented to the London conference of the CIPD. The results proved fascinating and useful to so many people that we let the study run and continued gathering data on line and from every workshop and seminar we ran (see Power Survey 2000).

From this we were able to accurately identify the 160 single words that individuals use when describing their personal power. This was academically interesting but our clients wanted this data as a form of measurement so that their workshops and coaching sessions would have some reliable information to aid the learning. We needed to develop an on line questionnaire to support them.

How was it developed?

From our original research project, we isolated the 100 most frequently used single words that people use when describing power. This led to a test model featuring the 100 words broken down into 10 dimensions, which form the basis of the diagnostic.

As words are selected they provide a measure from most preferred source of power (which might be over used or relied on) down to sources of power which were either underutilised or ignored (potential development opportunities).

By combining these results we are able to offer a hierarchy of power as well as accurate and useful hints and tips about how to unlock and use the other sources.

How is it used?

One of the great things about the diagnostic is that it is very versatile. Everyone who uses it gains new insight and learning, particularly from the practical ideas we've included on how to develop each power source. When working with a coach or used as a workshop feature, this makes the learning more immediate so that you can develop more quickly and put into action what you have learned.

Yet perhaps its most potent use is when you get a group of people together to discuss their Personal Power Diagnostics.

Not only do they learn from each other, but they also gain greater appreciation for how their colleagues differ and how, as a team, you can build your collective power and influence base.

If you have any queries that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.

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