A Study on the Similarities and Differences between Organizational Influencers in Managerial and Non-Managerial Positions

Abstract

This study focuses on the similarities and differences between informal influencers with regards to their organizational ranking. Using qualitative method, seven influencers from different organizations were interviewed and grouped into two—those who hold managerial and non-managerial positions. Organizational influencers, regardless of their position in the organizational structure, were found to have good work performance, making them the members of the organization that others rely on for information about organizational matters. They constantly share personal knowledge, ideas, and experiences, transmit and instill organizational culture and values, and encourage the members of the organization to do well. They experience being encouraged in a direct communication with their superiors while having their suggestions considered and implemented and being delegated higher tasks and responsibilities. What motivates them is the thought of improving their organization in some or all aspects. And while they encounter the opportunity of having something new to learn every day, they also experience the drawback of being responsible for ideas to keep coming in the organization. Meanwhile, influencers in managerial positions are approachable, pleasing, good listeners, and knowledgeable. While it is true that their position in the organization comes with power, the said qualities are what got them considered as influencers by their colleagues and subordinates. This shows that power is not everything in effectively influencing members of the organization. On the other hand, influencers in non-managerial positions were found to be encouraging, hardworking, and perseverant. Unlike those influencers in managerial positions, these influencers emerge not because of having technical skills but because of their interpersonal skills and work ethics. The study also found that regardless of their organizational ranking, influencers are unaware of the extra role that they are playing in the organization. Interestingly, those influencers in managerial positions do not have a history of being influencers in their previous organizations while those in non-managerial positions revealed their history such as being leaders in group projects and embodying the roles and qualities of an organizational influencer. Lastly, the study found that influencers perceive that their role is important in and helpful for the organization.