He told BBC Radio Kent: "Modern players don't respond to tea cup throwing.
"There's nothing wrong with conducting yourself in the correct way, but if the players are not getting the message you've got to tell them."
The 41-year-old, who helped Charlton win promotion to the Premier League in 2000, takes charge with the Addicks lying seventh in League One, one place and one point off the play-off places.
"I'm sure it's easier for me where we are now, we are not fighting to stave off relegation," said Powell.
"We want stability here, the owners have said that, and that is why I have a three-and-a-half-year contract.
"We have a project on our hands to get this club back to where it was."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport