Week 10 - Chapter 12: Power Politics Flashcards
What is Power?
Capacity to influence others who are in a state of dependence.
Not always perceived or exercised.
Does not imply a poor relationship b/w holder & target of power.
Power can flow in any direction in an organization.
Power applies to both individuals and groups.
The Bases of individual Power
Power can be found in the position one occupies in an organization and the resources that one is able to command.
The five bases of individual power are:
Legitimate Reward Coercive Referent Expert
Legitimate Power
- Derived from a person’s position/job
- Formal authority and level in hierarchy.
- We are socialized to accept its influence.
Reward Power
- Derived from ability to provide positive and prevent negative outcomes.
- Anyone can use this kind of influence by praising, complimenting etc.
Coercive Power
- Derived from use of punishment & threat.
- Anyone can engage in coercion.
- It is generally ineffective & can provoke resistance.
Referent Power
- Derived from being well liked by others.
* Friendly interpersonal relations cause influence to go beyond org & legitimate, reward, & coercive power.
Expert Power
- Derived from having special information/expertise that is valued
- Most consistently associated with employee effectiveness.
Employees are likely to have the following responses to each base of managerial power:
Coercive power →Resistance Reward power →Compliance Legitimate power →Compliance Expert power →Commitment Referent power →Commitment
Resistance is the worst, compliance is the middle and commitment is the best
How do people obtain power?
People obtain power in organizations by doing certain activities and developing informal relationships with the right people.
Doing the right things - Some activities are “righter” then others for obtaining power. Activities lead to power when they are:
Extraordinary
•Excellent performance in unusual or non-routine activities.
•Eg. new role; managing big changes; taking risks.
Visible
•No power generated power if no one know
•Activities must be visible to others and publicized.
Relevant
•People have to care! Other wise No power generated!•Activities must be relevant to the solutions
Cultivating the right people
Developing informal relationships with the right people can be a useful means of acquiring power.
The right people can include: Outsiders Subordinates Peers Superiors
Organizational politics - using and abusing power
Organizational politics: The pursuit of self-interest in an organization, whether or not this self-interest corresponds to organizational goals
Politics frequently involves using means of influence that the organization does not sanction or pursuing ends or goals that it does not sanction.
If means and/or ends are unsanctioned = political
Positive influence tactics
Pressure/Assertiveness Ingratiation Rationality Exchange Upward Appeal Coalition Consultation Inspirational Appeals Personal Appeals Legitimizing Tactics
Negative influence tactics
- Blaming/attacking others (using scapegoats)
- Controlling access to information
- Avoiding, stalling
- Intimidation
- Taking credit for other’s work
- Deceit
- Buffing
- Buck passing
- Over-conforming
What is Political skill?
Political skill refers to the ability to understand others at work and to use that knowledge to influence others to act in ways that enhance one’s personal or organizational objectives.
This definition refers to two aspects of political skill:
- -Comprehending others
- -Translating this comprehension into influence
