1.5 - About University

Type of SupportChallengersFamily and friendsSupport Provided➠ Lucy, of Peanuts fame, termed these people “the crabgrass in the lawn of life.” Youmay find it strange that these people can be supporters! They will question yourreasoning and force you to carefully examine your ideas and proposals. A naturalreaction is to treat them like enemies and fight back. A better strategy is to meetwith them, ask for their advice, and potentially get them on your side!➠ These people know you in a wide range of settings and roles, and love you despiteyour faults. They understand how your approach to life and the decisions youhave made have influenced who you have become.H OW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL“It is easy to see the building of a network of suppport, either through the appointment and promotion process orthrough personal favors, as activities that are somehow illegitimate or inappropriate. Such a view would be incompleteat best. The development and exercise of power in organizations is about getting things accomplished. The verynature of organizations—interdependent, complex systems with many actors and many points of view—means thattaking action is often problematic. Failures in implementation are almost invariably failures to build successfulcoalitions. Although networks of allies can obviously be misused, they are nevertheless essential in order to getthings done. And, allies must be put in place through whatever practical means are at hand.”—Jeffrey Pfeffer, MANAGING WITH POWERWEB WORKSHEETConsider your current support network. What support is being provided? How might this networkbe improved? Are you relying on too few people? Are some categories of support missingor in need of strengthening (e.g., mentors, coaches)? Use the space provided to analyze andplan ways to expand and strengthen your support network. Consider people both inside andoutside your organization.Type of supportMentors/sponsorsPeople who presently (or couldpotentially) provide this supportDescription ofsupport desiredAssistants, staffProfessional service providers,expert advisorsFormal coach(es)[☛ 4.9 Professional Expertise][☛ 13.1 Coaching]SECTION 9 TOOLS FOR LEADING AND INFLUENCING OTHERS 295