---
name: influence-craft
description: Maps organizational power dynamics and builds influence without authority using Jeffrey Pfeffer's power frameworks. Use when getting buy-in for ideas, navigating company politics, managing up, or building coalitions across teams.
---

# Power & Influence

## When This Skill Activates

Claude uses this skill when:
- Need buy-in from multiple stakeholders
- Navigating organizational politics
- Building influence without authority
- Managing up effectively

## Core Frameworks

### 1. Sources of Power (Source: Jeffrey Pfeffer)

**7 Sources:**
1. **Expertise** - Being the expert
2. **Resources** - Controlling budget/headcount
3. **Relationships** - Network and connections
4. **Information** - Knowing what others don't
5. **Position** - Formal authority
6. **Charisma** - Personal magnetism
7. **Will** - Persistence and determination

### 2. Building Political Capital

**The Approach:**
```
1. Map power structure
   - Who decides?
   - Who influences decisions?
   - Who controls resources?

2. Build relationships
   - Help others succeed
   - Offer expertise
   - Share credit

3. Accumulate wins
   - Start with small wins
   - Build reputation
   - Expand influence
```

---

## Action Templates

### Template: Stakeholder Mapping

```markdown
# Stakeholder Map: [Initiative]

## Decision Makers
- **Name:** [role]
  - Power level: [High/Medium/Low]
  - Support: [For/Against/Neutral]
  - Concerns: [list]
  - Approach: [how to influence]

## Influencers
- **Name:** [role]
  - Influences: [who]
  - Cares about: [what]
  - Approach: [strategy]

## Coalition Building
- **Early supporters:** [list]
- **Fence-sitters:** [list]
- **Opposition:** [list]

## Action Plan
1. Build coalition with: [names]
2. Address concerns of: [names]
3. Pre-meetings with: [names]
4. Present when: [timing]
```

---

## Quick Reference

### 🤝 Influence Checklist

**Preparation:**
- [ ] Map power structure
- [ ] Identify stakeholders
- [ ] Understand motivations
- [ ] Build coalition

**Execution:**
- [ ] Pre-meetings (surface concerns)
- [ ] Customized pitches (per stakeholder)
- [ ] Data + story (logic + emotion)
- [ ] Build momentum (early wins)

---

## Key Quotes

**Jeffrey Pfeffer:**
> "Power is the ability to get things done. If you want to make an impact, you need to understand power."

**On Building Influence:**
> "The most successful people build their political capital before they need it."