Overview

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How can relationships become a source of power and positive impact? Building Influence Through Relationships explores how professional networks shape access to information, resources, opportunities, and support. Learners examine how to look beyond formal organizational structures to identify central players and map power dynamics, then explore how the breadth, depth, and density of a network affect its value. They also consider how reciprocity, bridging across different groups, and authentic relationship building can strengthen relational sources of power. By the end of the course, learners will be better prepared to diagnose the networks around them, evaluate how well their own relationships support their aspirations, and develop mutually enriching relationships that help them create positive impact.

Syllabus

Mapping Power Beyond the Org Chart
- Power does not always follow the organizational chart. In this module, you’ll learn to look beyond formal authority to understand how influence actually operates through relationships. You’ll explore informal networks, identify people who are central because others seek them out for advice or because they bridge otherwise disconnected groups, and learn to power map an environment by asking two fundamental questions: What do people value? and Who controls access to what they value? By the end of the module, you’ll be able to apply these ideas to an environment you want to influence and develop a clearer picture of where power actually resides.
Building Relational Power
- Knowing where power resides is only part of the challenge. You also need relationships that enable you to access information, resources, opportunities, and support—and to create value for others in return. In this module, you’ll follow entrepreneur Claude Grunitzky as he builds relationships across different industries, cultures, and communities. His experience will help you examine how mutual value, reciprocity, and bridging disconnected groups can strengthen relational sources of power, while also considering an important tension: how can you build relationships strategically without making them feel transactional or inauthentic?
Designing a Network That Fits Your Goals
- A strong professional network is not simply a large one. Its value depends on who is in it, how closely you are connected, how those people are connected to one another, and how well that structure supports what you hope to accomplish. In this module, you’ll examine three dimensions of network design—breadth, depth, and density—and explore the benefits and tradeoffs associated with each. You’ll consider the different roles that strong and weak ties can play, learn strategies for building relationships across differences, and apply the concepts of breadth, depth, and density to evaluate how well a network fits a particular aspiration.
Developing Relationships Authentically
- Building a network that supports your goals requires more than identifying the right relationships—it also requires becoming comfortable developing them. In this module, you’ll examine why networking can sometimes feel uncomfortable or transactional and explore how your mindset, motivations, and personal preferences can shape the way you approach relationship building. You’ll learn practical strategies for building relationships around learning, mutual contribution, and higher purpose, while considering how different networking approaches can work for different people. By the end of the module, you’ll be prepared to identify an approach to relationship building that feels both authentic to you and appropriate for what you hope to accomplish.
Integrating Relational Sources of Power

Taught by

Harvard Business School Online

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