Power And Politics Flashcards
Dependency
B’s relationship to A when A possesses something that B needs
Power
A capacity that A has to influence the power of B so that B acts in accordance to a’s wishes.
Bases of power
1 is coercive power: power that is based on fear
2 is reward power: power based on the ability to provide benefits or rewards to people.
3 is legitimate power: power based on relative position in the organizational hierarchy
4 is expert power: based on a persons experience/knowledge
5 is referent power: you like the person and you enjoy doing things with him or her
6 is information power: the person has data or knowledge that you need
Which power bases prove to be least effective and most likely used by managers
Coercive, legitimate, and reward because they are the easiest to implement but the effective leaders use referent and/or expert power
How to increase the dependency of others on you
Control things viewed as important, resources must be viewed as scarce and non-substitutability
Influence tactics
Rational persuasion Inspirational appeals Consultation Ingratiation Personal appeals Exchange Coalition tactics Pressure Legitimating tactics
Political skill
Research indicates that: politically skilled people use influence tactics more effectively, more effective when stakes are high, and able to exert influence without others detecting it
Empowerment
The freedom and ability of employees to make decisions and commitments; managers disagree over definition
Harassment in the workplace
People who engage in harassment in the workplace are typically abusing their power position
Supreme Court of Canada’s definition of sexual harassment
Unwelcome behaviour of sexual nature in the workplace that negatively affects the work environment or leads to adverse job-related consequences for employee
Political behaviour
Activities that influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization ( legitimate or illegitimate)
Why do politics in an organization exist?
Organizations are made up of individuals that have different values, goals and interests; resources are limited; performance outcomes are not completely clear and objective
