CAD Manager –
Flexing you
Power to get things done
There are times when you have to
exert "power" over others. When someone if ignoring the
standards or modifying software in ways that are not allowed.
Power really means influence. Power is usually thought of
as negative. Power hungry managers fling orders and expect
people to jump. Power hungry political leaders may shave
their ethics to get things done.
So what is a CAD Manager to do?
Well being power hungry would never do, but you do have to exert
influence at just about every turn.
You may have to use any one of
these or a few at the same time to get things done.
Positional Influence –
You are in charge and you have a title. If the title
disappears, so does your influence. This type of influence
is all well and good, but it is really pulling rank.
Getting people to do things because you are in charge is
effective, but is not the only type of influence a CAD Manager
can wield.
Project Influence – You
are overseeing a task and can make things happen to get the job
done. Once the task is done, your influence is over.
Project leadership is often placed in the wrong hands. The
person in charge of a task or project needs to get things done,
but after the project is completed, the influence ends.
Knowledge Influence –
You know more than others and can sway the decisions. As long
as you know more, you influence others. This is one that the
CAD Manager must use, since most often they do know the most
about the software. They may not be the fastest on the
draw, but they have a well rounded perspective since they see
all of the problems and have to find answers.
Relationship Influence –
You know more people than others and can pull in some favors.
When the relationships go south, so does your influence.
Keep this in mind that you can often get things done because you
know who to ask or how the systems works.
Personal Influence –
Your influence comes from your character. Your deep seated
convictions, values and perspectives win the day. This is
where you want to be. This is the most influential
influence you can have. You know you have it when people
do things just because you asked. You know you have it
when people who do not work for you will do things to help get
your job done.
CAD Managers have to nurture
this kind of influence.