Class 9 - diversity, power, politics

Question 1

Describe power, according to Kanter

Answer 1

• that which enables you to create, get and/or use resources to achieve one’s goals
• the ability to facilitate change and achieve intended effects
• has the potential to change the attitudes and behaviours of individuals and groups
• can restrict another’s freedom of action

Question 2

Why do nurses need power

Answer 2

• essential to being an effective leader in clinical, managerial, and leadership roles
• basic element in human relations and organizational behaviour
• influence change over practice, shape health care policy, and improve care

Question 3

What are the different levels of power (most common to least)

Answer 3

• interpersonal: social power (French & Raven)
• organizational: power in organization (Kanter)
• external: national/governmental policies, political action to influence policies

Question 4

What are the five (6) forms of power in interpersonal power (French & Raven)

Answer 4

• reward
• coercive
• expert
• legitimate
• referent
  + informational

Question 5

Describe reward power

Answer 5

• ability to grant favours or reward others with whatever they value (money, free time, praise, etc)
• includes personal recognition & acknowledgement
• Employees will work harder to receive rewards

Question 6

Describe coercive power

Answer 6

• Not something you would want to over use
• Power to punish or potentially punish; if people know you can punish them, then you still have coercive power
• fear of threat or punishment if the manager’s expectations are not met

Question 7

Describe expert power

Answer 7

• gained through knowledge, expertise, & experience
• People look to you to bring in that expertise to influence a decision

Question 8

Describe legitimate power

Answer 8

• power gained through a tile or official position; Where you are hired, elected, or appointed to a particular position that comes with responsibilities
• explain why you are asking for something to be done

Question 9

example of legitimate power

Answer 9

supervisor, responsibility; making a schedule

Question 10

Describe referent power

Answer 10

• based on admiration and respect for an individual; Power of like-ability
• identification with a leader or what the leader symbolizes
• Influence over people because you have charisma, good relationships, people look up to you, etc.

Question 11

Example of coercive power

Answer 11

teacher, who will have the power to change a grade

Question 12

example of referent power

Answer 12

Oprah Winfrey, not our bosses, but has a lot of influence over people

Question 13

Describe informational power

Answer 13

• based on access to valuable data
• Not connected you personally
• followers comply because they want info for their own needs
  OR
• info is powerful because it can influence decisions
• controversial - if you part of a team/organization, that info doesn’t belong to you; info should be shared widely to benefit everyone

Question 14

Describe connection power

Answer 14

based on individual’s formal and informal links to influential persons w/in or outside organization

Question 15

What is a power-authority gap

Answer 15

leader has job title but no referent power because employees dont respect the boss

Question 16

How to reduce the power-authority gap

Answer 16

Managers reduce gap when followers:
- perceive manager is doing a good job
- believe organizations has their best interest in mind
- do not feel controlled by authority

Question 17

Why does the power-authority gap increase

Answer 17

when the manager loses creditability w/ employees

Question 18

Describe the organizational power (Kanter’s Theory)

Answer 18

• the leaders power will grow by sharing power
• sharing power-ability to get things done and meet organizational goals
• work behaviour and attitude is shaped in response to problems and situations in work environment

Question 19

Define empowerment, according to Ozimek

Answer 19

process by which we facilitate the participation of others in decision making and take action within an environment where there is an equitable distribution of power

Question 20

How to empower followers, according to Kanter

Answer 20

increase staff nurses’ empowerment by giving access to increase:
- info
- support
- resources
- opportunity

Question 21

Examples of other empowerment theories

Answer 21

• psycho-social empowerment
• critical social theory

Question 22

what is psychological empowerment

Answer 22

motivational approach consisting of:
- meaning
- impact
- self-determination
- competence

Question 23

What is critical social theory

Answer 23

• how society controls access to power
• how power influences behaviour toward others

Question 24

Within critical social theory, how can nursing increase its power in an organization?

Answer 24

become aware of:
- power aspects/plays of the organization
- how nurses’ practice impacts care
- gain control over work life

Question 25

Define politics, according to Collins Online Dictionary

Answer 25

• art of influencing the allocation of scarce resources
• actions or activities concerned with achieving and using power
• behaviour in human interactions involving power and authority

Question 26

What is the connection with nursing & power beyond the workplace

Answer 26

• nurses’ capacity as individuals or members of a profession to influence policy makers
• monitoring, alleviating, and preventing or bringing about social change
• raising public awareness of the issue

Question 27

What are power strategies

Answer 27

• networking (professional organizations, CNA, social media)
• coalition building (lobbying)

Question 28

What are political skills

Answer 28

• be an active member of an organization
• build a relationship with a legislator
• run for office and/or seek appointed positions

Question 29

What does diversity look like in the nursing workplace right now

Answer 29

• gender imbalance nursing profession
• minimal ethnic diversity
• critical for nurse managers to support minorities in the health care workforce

Question 30

what challenges with generational workforce diversity

Answer 30

different views on authority, attitudes towards work, expectations of their leaders and work environment

Question 31

What is the nurse manager’s role in generational workforce diversity

Answer 31

• support different generational needs to accomplish work
• harness attributes of each generation to meet the needs of the organization

Question 32

What are the types of generations

Answer 32

• veteran generation (1922-1945)
• baby boomers (1946-1964)
• Gen X (1965-1980)
• Gen Y/Millennials (1980-2000)
• Gen Z (1996-TBD)

Question 33

Describe veteran generation

Answer 33

• greater economic hardship and satisfying work
• expectation that sacrifice and hard work are rewarded, rules, value loyalty, respect authority

Question 34

Describe baby boomers

Answer 34

• emphasis on personal fulfillment and identify with work
• materialistic and work long hours; live to work
• efficiency, teamwork, and service have thrived under their leadership
• more participative and less authoritarian workplace

Question 35

Describe Gen X

Answer 35

• work to live
• assertive and comfortable with tech
• not willing to commit to one employer
• seek temporary jobs and want job satisfaction (doesnt work hard just cause)

Question 36

Describe Gen Y/Millenials

Answer 36

• meaningful work
• superior multi-tasking skills
• earn to spend and constantly connected
• optimistic, socially conscious & sociable
• need clear definitions of outcomes, resources, and deadlines

Question 37

Describe Gen Z

Answer 37

• best test for future abilities
• beliefs and expectation about tech in the areas of privacy, security, dating, education, and work
• life won’t be fair