Power and conflictPowerContrasting leadership and powerBases of powerDependencyPower tacticsSexual harassmentPoliticsImpression management

Power Power refers to a capacity that A has to

influence the behavior of B. Power may exist but not usedThere is a dependence and potential involvedDependence means that the greater B is

dependent on A, the greater is A’s power in the relationship.

Contrasting leadership and powerPower does not require goal compatibilityLeadership requires link between the goals

and the leader

Leadership focus on the downward influence on one’s followers but power does not.

Leadership is usually used by one person whereas power can be exercised by an individual as well as groups.

Bases of powerFormal power

Coercive power – dependent on fearRewards power – the opposite of coerciveLegitimate power – due t the structural position

Personal powerExpert power – influence exercised as a result

of experienceReferent power – based on identification with a

person who has desirable resources or personal traits

Dependency It is inversely related to supplyWhat creates dependency?

ImportanceScarcityNonsubstituability

Power tacticsHow do people translate power bases into action??

Legitimacy –relying on authority positionRational persuasion – presenting logical arguments and facts

to demonstrateInspirational appeals – developing emotional commitmentConsultation – increasing the targets motivation by involving

in planningExchange – rewarding the target with benefits or favorsPersonal appeals – asking for compliance based on friendshipIngratiation – using flattery, praise before making a requestPressure – using warnings, repeated demands and threats

Sexual harassmentT is defined as any unwanted activity of

sexual nature that affects am individual’s employment.CompensationsPrivilegesPhysical touchingRecurring requests for dates when it is clear

that the other person is not interestedCoercive threats of loosing a job if she refuses

a sexual proposition

Politics When people convert their power into action, we

described them as being engaged in politics.Political behavior in organizations may be defined

as activities that are not required as part of one’s formal role in the organization but that influence, or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization.Legitimate political behavior – normal everyday

politicsIllegitimate political behavior – extreme behavior that

violates the implied rules of the game

What factors would contribute to political behavior?

Individual factorsHigh self monitoring – sensitive to social cuesInternal locus of control – they believe they can

controlHigh Mach personality – will to manipulate and

desire for powerPerceived job alternativesExpectations of successA person’s investment in organization

Organizational factorsReallocation of resourcesPromotion opportunitiesLow trustRole ambiguityUnclear performance evaluation systemDemocratic decision makingHigh performance pressures

How do people respond to politics?Decrease job satisfactionIncreased anxiety and stressIncreased turnoverReduced performance

Impression managementMost people have an ongoing interest in how

others perceive and evaluate themThe process by which an individual attempt

to control the impression others form of them is called impression management

IM techniquesConformity – agreeing with someone else’s

opinionExcuses – finding reasons to justifyApologies – seeking a pardonSelf promotion – highlighting one’s selfFlattery – complimenting othersFavors – doing something nice for someone Association – enhancing or protecting one’s

image by managing information about people and things with which one is associated