• Inspiration related currencies like vision, moral or ethical correctness and the need for excellence.
• Task-related currencies like certain give and take of resources, challenges and assistance. It can also mean organisational support, rapid response to future problems and exchange of information.
• Position related currencies like recognition, visibility with the CEO, reputation, importance and insider information/perks. A chance to network with the coveted people can also provide leverage.
• Relationship related currencies like understanding, sympathy, personal support and inclusion.

• Gratitude – While gratitude may be another form of recognition or support, it is not necessarily a job-related one that can be valued highly by some people who make a point of being helpful to others.
• Ownership/Involvement – The chance that they feel that they are partly in control of something important or have a chance to make a major contribution.
• Self-related – These currencies cover those that are consistent with a person’s image of himself or herself.
• Comfort – Some individuals place a high value on personal comfort.

Currencies are what people value. But it is also possible to think of negative currencies, things that people do not value and wish to avoid:

• Not giving recognition
• Not offering support
• Not providing challenge
• Threatening to quit the situation
• Raising voice, yelling
• Refusing to cooperate when asked
• Escalating issue upwards to common boss
• Going public with issue, making lack of cooperation visible
• Attacking a person’s reputation, integration
• Retribution.

• What are your primary goals?
• What personal factors get in the way?
• Be flexible about achieving goals.
• Adjust expectations of your role and your ally’s role.

• Centrality of the ally – How powerful is the other person? What resources does he or she control? How exclusive is the person’s control of those resources? How dependent are you on that person for success?
• Amount of effort/credits needed – Do you already have a relationship with the person, or will you be starting from scratch? Is the person likely to insist on trading in currencies you do not command or cannot gain access to?
• Alternatives available – Do you know anyone whose support will help gain the support of the potential ally?