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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.