POWER AND POLITICS
Bases, Tactics and Behaviors
What is Power?
The capacity that A has to influence the
behavior of B so that B acts in
accordance with As wishes
Exists as a potential or fully actualized
influence over a dependent relationship
What is essence of Power?
Why Power is what it is?
Dependency
- the function of Power
Power and Dependency
The General Dependency assumptions
The greater Bs dependency on A, the greater
the power A has over B
Possession/control of scarce organizational
resources that others need makes a manager
powerful
Access to optional resources (e.g., multiple
suppliers) reduces the resource holders power
Power and Dependency
Dependency increases when
resources are:
Important
Scarce
No substitutable
Contrasting Leadership and
Power
Leaders use power as a means of
attaining group goals. Leaders
achieve goals, and power is a means
of facilitating their achievement
Their different axis on which
leadership and power can be
differentiated
Contrasting Leadership and Power
Leadership
Power
Focuses on goal
Used as a means for
achievement
Requires goal
compatibility with
followers
Focuses influence
downward
Research Focus
Leadership styles
and relationships
with followers
achieving goals
Requires follower
dependency
Used to gain lateral
and upward influence
Research Focus
Power tactics for
gaining compliance
Where does power come from?
What are its sources?
What is it that gives individuals or
a group influence over others?
Bases or sources of Power
We can divide sources or bases of
power into two general groupings
formal and personal and then
breaking each of these down into more
specific categories
Formal power
Based on an individuals position in
an organization;
Formal power can come from the
ability to coerce or reward, from
formal authority, or from control of
information
It has four basis
Bases of Formal Power
Coercive Power
A power base dependent on fear of
negative results
Reward Power
Compliance achieved based on the
ability to distribute rewards that
others view as valuable
Basis of Formal Power
Legitimate Power
The formal authority to control and
use resources based on a persons
position in the formal hierarchy
Information Power
Power that comes from access to and
control over information.
Personal Power
Power that comes from an individuals
unique characteristics such as
expertise, the respect, and admiration
of others, and charisma
It has three basis
Bases of Personal Power
Expert Power
Influence based on special skills or knowledge.
Referent Power
Influence based on possession by an individual
of desirable resources or personal traits.
Charismatic Power
An extension of referent power stemming from
an individuals personality and interpersonal
style.
How power is translated into actions?
Or
How power is manifested into
actions?
Through Power Tactics
Power Tactics
Ways in which individuals translate
power bases into specific actions
They are influenced by nine different
factors
Influence Tactics
Legitimacy
Relying on ones authority position or
stressing that a request is in accordance
with organizational policies or rules
Rational persuasion
Presenting logical arguments and factual
evidences to demonstrate that a request
is reasonable
Influence Tactics
Inspirational appeals
Developing emotional commitment by
appealing to a targets values, needs,
hopes, and aspirations
Consultation
Increasing the targets motivation and
support by involving him/her in deciding
how the plan or change will be done
Influence Tactics
Exchange
Rewarding the target with benefits or
favors in exchange for following a
request
Personal appeals
Asking for compliance based on
friendship or loyalty
Influence Tactics
Ingratiation
Using flattery, praise, or friendly behavior prior
to making a request
Pressure
Using warnings, repeated demands and threats
Coalitions
Enlisting the aid of other people to persuade
the target or using the support of others as a
reason for the target to agree
How power is exerted?
By Politics
Political Behavior
Activities that are not required as part
of ones formal role in the organization,
but that influence, or attempt to
influence, the distribution of
advantages or disadvantages within the
organization.
It exist in two forms
Forms of Political Behavior
Legitimate Political Behavior
Normal everyday politics -
complaining, bypassing, obstructing
Illegitimate Political Behavior
Extreme political behavior that
violates the implied rules of the game:
sabotage, whistle-blowing, and
symbolic protest
He who knows how to flatter
also knows how to slander
Napoleon Bonaparte
The great power is great
responsbility
