Power , Authority & Power , Authority & Influence Influence

A Definition of PowerA Definition of Power

A B

Bases of PowerBases of Power

Bases of PowerBases of Power

Personal PowerPersonal Power

Personal PowerPersonal Power

Dependency: The Key To Dependency: The Key To PowerPower

• The General Dependency Postulate– The greater B’s 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 holder’s power.• What Creates Dependency

– Importance of the resource to the organization– Scarcity of the resource– Nonsubstitutability of the resource

Power TacticsPower Tactics

Tactical Dimensions:

• Reason

• Friendliness

• Coalition

• Bargaining

• Assertiveness

• Higher authority

• Sanctions

Power in Groups: CoalitionsPower in Groups: Coalitions

• Seek to maximize their size to attain influence.

• Seek a broad and diverse constituency for support of their objectives.

Politics: Power in ActionPolitics: Power in Action

Using Power Ploys Using Power Ploys

• Upward Strategies Adopting a style which superiors approve • Downward StrategiesForming groups with subordinates • Lateral Strategies Creating a relationship of Obligation

Employee Employee Responses to Responses to Organizational Organizational

PoliticsPolitics

Impression Management (IM)Impression Management (IM)

IM Techniques:

• Conformity

• Excuses

• Apologies

• Self-Promotion

• Flattery

• Favors

• Association

Ethics of Power & PoliticsEthics of Power & Politics

• Self Interest Vs Organizational Interest • Rights of Other Parties• Conformity to the standards of Equity &

Justice

• THANK YOU