so where does power come from ? or what is power based on ? power comes from dependance. if A is depend on B, B has power on A. You reply on your manager to promote you, to give you good perfmance review, or for pay raise, then your manager has power. If your manager reply on you to design, implement and maintain software system, and you are not subsitituable, then you have power - expert power. There are other ways to secure power - If you are specialized at something then you own information power - ie lawyer at a company to solve legal dispution. if you are the person that people like you, you got referent power. You have power doesn't mean you need to be manager or CEO like you. You are here because of business need you,people like you. So sharp your expertise, put your hand up for challenging job, don't hesitate, embrace change and failure, you will be fine.