The most powerful person in your department is not necessarily your manager. Instead, the person with the most influence, who can lead others to achieve a goal or accomplish a certain task, may enjoy that position of power. Informal power in an organization refers to the ability to lead, direct or achieve without an official leadership title. It is derived from the relationships that employees build with each other. Individuals with informal power may be the most experienced or knowledgeable in a certain area or the most respected because of perceived notions displayed through personality traits. For example, the lead worker in your unit may be able to get your team to accept, or reject, a procedural change because the team respects or has an allegiance with that person.
