The Power Struggle: A Challenge often found in Leadership

” The key to deal with power struggle is to apply ‘The Art of Leadership’. “

Atip Muangsuwan
CEO Coach and Coach Supervisor

In the high-stakes world of corporate leadership, challenges often arise that test the resolve and ingenuity of even the most experienced leaders. This is the story of “Alex,” a newly promoted CEO who found himself in a power struggle with one of his direct reports, “John,” who has an expertise in the IT world.

The Dilemma

Alex had recently taken on a new CEO role with a new organization. Despite his extensive experience, he found himself at a disadvantage when it came to the IT technical knowledge that John possessed. John, confident in his expertise and a veteran in this organization, was resistant to following Alex’s directives, creating a tense and challenging power dynamic.

The Coaching Session

During our one-on-one coaching session, Alex brought this dilemma to the table. He was determined to take control of the situation and assert his authority as John’s boss. Together, we explored various strategies to help him navigate this complex power struggle.

The Strategies

1. Benchmarking and Validation
   • Action: Alex needed to ensure that his views and decisions were correct and valid. He decided to benchmark against industry references and cross-check with external experts in the IT field.
   • Outcome: This would provide him with the confidence and evidence needed to support his decisions.
2. Third-Party Support
   • Action: Alex sought the support of the Board of Directors (BODs) to act as referees and back his decisions.
   • Outcome: The board validation would strengthen his position and provide additional credibility.
3. Pre-Meeting Discussions
   • Action: Alex planned to have informal discussions with the BODs before formal board meetings to ensure their buy-in.
   • Outcome: This would help him secure their support and avoid surprises during official meetings.
4. Hiring an Expert
   • Action: Alex identified and approached an external expert to assist him in managing the situation.
   • Outcome: This would provide him with additional support and expertise.
5. Gradual Measures
   • Action: Alex developed a range of measures to apply to John, starting from soft to hard approaches:
     • Casual Meal and Heart-to-Heart Talk: Using a “Coach Approach”.
     • Increased Pressure: If resistance persisted, he would escalate by withholding approvals.
     • Formal Orders: Ordering John to review and revise the Terms of Reference (TOR).
     • Transfer: As a last resort, considering transferring John to another location.
   • Outcome: These measures would provide a structured approach to managing John’s resistance.
6. Considering Consequences
   • Action: Alex needed to consider the potential consequences of each measure, including possible backlash.
   • Outcome: This would help him make informed decisions and mitigate risks.
7. Gathering Information
   • Action: Alex planned to gather information from John’s subordinates in the IT department to understand the situation better and gauge support.
   • Outcome: This would provide him with valuable insights and additional leverage.
8. Understanding Motivation
   • Action: Alex sought to understand John’s true motivation behind his decisions and resistance.
   • Outcome: This would help him address the root cause of the conflict and find common ground.

The Key Insights

Through our coaching session, Alex gained several key insights:

1. Identify the Root Cause: Understanding the real root cause of the conflict was crucial.
2. Leverage Authority: Recognizing his power and authority as John’s boss was an advantage.
3. Gather Information: Collecting information from multiple sources, including IT staff, was essential.
4. Heart-to-Heart Talk: Inviting John for a meal and having an honest conversation could help resolve the issue.

The Action Steps

Alex left the session with a clear plan of action:

1. Talk to IT Staff: Gather information from John’s subordinates.
2. Pre-Meeting Discussions: Have informal discussions with the BODs.
3. Heart-to-Heart Talk: Invite John for a meal and have an honest conversation.
4. Evaluate Measures: Apply measures based on the outcome of the heart-to-heart talk.

This case study highlights the importance of strategic leadership, effective communication, and personalized leadership in navigating complex power dynamics. By leveraging his authority, gathering information, and applying a range of measures, Alex was able to take control of the situation and guide his team towards success.

If you have any leadership or organizational issues that need urgent and immediate support like Alex, let’s talk soon! Because urgent and significant issues cannot wait to be solved. Together, we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger.

About Atip Muangsuwan: Atip Muangsuwan is the Founder & CEO of The Best Coach International Co., Ltd. He is a CEO & UHNWI Coach, Certified Mentor & Supervisor for global executive coaches, Holistic Life Transformation Expert, Business & Life Strategist, and Corporate Facilitator/Trainer. With a proven track record of helping clients achieve their career goals and job promotions, Atip is dedicated to supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth.