Power and politics

Lecture 7: Power and Politics

Dr. Bahareh Assadi

Power and Politics in Organizations

  • Power and politics manifest in various ways within organizations, including:
      - The use of legitimate authority.
      - Political maneuvering for personal or group gain.
      - The impact of organizational structure on power dynamics.

Examples:

  • A manager leveraging their position to influence decisions.

  • Employees forming coalitions to advance their interests.

  • The uneven distribution of resources affecting divisions within a company.

Navigating Power in a New Organization

  • When joining a new organization, determining who holds power involves more than job titles.
      - Identify individuals who exercise different modes of power, such as:
        - Colleagues widely recognized and consulted.
        - Those whose ideas consistently receive approval.
        - Individuals who have rapid promotions indicative of success.
      - Recognize that the power landscape is dynamic and evolves with changing business priorities.
      - Position yourself to be noticed by influential colleagues.

Power Struggles

  • Common occurrences where one person seeks something from another unwilling to concede.

  • This may lead to attempts by the first person to exert their power to persuade or compel the other.

  • Power struggles can occur among coworkers, employees with supervisors, management, and interdepartmental conflicts.

Case Study: Fallout from the Trump-Zelensky Meeting

  • Illustrated how power dynamics can lead to significant implications in business contexts.

Analyzing Power Display

  • Body language and behavior are crucial in assessing how power is displayed in interactions.

Insights on Leadership

  • Anita Roddick's Quote:
      - Leadership should be looked at through the followers' eyes, guiding them to source their own power, making heroes out of employees who embody desired values.

Coercive Power

Case of Jian Ghomeshi

  • Edmund Burke Quote:
      - “The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.”

Background:

  • Jian Ghomeshi, former host of CBC’s Q, was fired in 2014 after graphic evidence of physical injury to a woman was presented.

  • Ghomeshi referred to the encounters as “rough consensual sex.”

  • Efforts to present evidence of consent through texts and photos did not absolve the situation from CBC's perspective.

CBC's Response:

  • Ghomeshi was initially kept on air during investigations despite previous accusations of sexual assault.

  • Firing was due to evidence showing behavior far more aggressive than previously thought.

  • Ghomeshi was put on leave pending further discussions where he failed to provide detailed accounts of his actions.

  • The CBC deemed his conduct inconsistent with their standards as a public broadcaster.

Consequences:

  • Ghomeshi’s expert and referent power allowed him to remain in his position initially, leading to staff feeling ignored in their complaints.

  • Ghomeshi was acquitted of other charges but accepted a plea bargain and admitted to crossing boundaries and causing damage without recognizing it.

Power Dynamics and Conflict

  • Power reveals individual desires and priorities, especially among those who rise to positions of authority.

  • Workplace Needs:
      - Achievement
      - Affiliation
      - Power

Types of Power

  • Power Defined: The capacity one party (A) has to influence another party (B) to act in accordance with A's wishes.

  • Dependence: B's relationship to A when A possesses something B requires.
      - Example: College students relying on parents for financial support illustrate dependence and power dynamics.

Characteristics of Power:

  • Power is often viewed as a possession that can be gained or lost and generally benefits the strong or dominant while the weak do not possess it.

  • Philosophical discourse suggests that power does not belong to individuals but persists within groups.

  • Relational Power: Stems from relationships among individuals.

Power and the Emergence of Conflict

  • Power dynamics can incite conflicts, as authority figures may act aggressively to protect their status when threatened.

  • Potential Resources: Include skills, expertise, attractive persona, control over rewards, formal positions, loyalty of allies, and persuasive ability.

Power in the Workplace

Who Has It? How is it Used?

Types of Power:

  • Legitimate Power: Power from formal position within hierarchy.

  • Reward Power: Power to distribute rewards deemed valuable.

  • Expert Power: Based on special knowledge or skills.

  • Referent Power: Based on personal traits that attract others.

  • Coercive Power: Based on fear of negative consequences from non-compliance.

  • Informational Power: Based on possession of critical information.

Power Usage and Effectiveness:

  • Coercive power often leads to resistance and mistrust, negatively impacting employee satisfaction.

  • Reward and legitimate power yield compliance but do not necessarily inspire commitment.

  • Expert and referent power are more effective in fostering commitment, employee satisfaction, and performance.

Influence Strategies

Gaining Influence:

  1. Build trust.

  2. Identify opportune moments for strategy implementation.

  3. Adapt to individual styles for effective persuasion.

  4. Recognize the impact of stereotypes on trust.

  5. Identify key players for support and mentorship.

Influence Tactics:

  • Rational Persuasion: Logical arguments to persuade.

  • Inspirational Appeals: Emotional requests that resonate with values.

  • Consultation: Involving others in decision-making.

  • Ingratiation: Building goodwill before requests.

  • Exchange: Promises of rewards for support.

  • Personal Appeal: Loyalty appeals for support.

  • Coalition: Joint efforts to persuade.

  • Legitimating: Establishing legitimacy through authority or policy.

  • Upward Appeals: Seeking higher management's endorsement.

  • Pressure: Utilizing threats or demands for compliance.

Effectiveness of Tactics:

  • Rational persuasion, inspirational appeals, and consultation are typically the most effective.

  • Pressure often results in backlash and can be the least effective strategy.

Characteristics of Powerful Influencers:

  • Key traits of skilled influencers include:
      - Presenting accurate information.
      - Displaying authority and enthusiasm.
      - Maintaining consistent messaging.
      - Offering reciprocal benefits for compliance.
      - Acting likable and empathetic.
      - Planning strategically.

Scoring Framework:

  • Score from 0-6 indicates low influence behavior; 7-12 shows moderate engagement; 13-16 suggests high influence potential.

Power, Conflict, and Ethical Considerations

Power’s Effects on Behavior:

  • Individuals in power may act differently, prioritizing their desires over others.

  • Power can lead to entitlement and aggressive behavior to preserve status.

Cookie Experiment:

  • A study showed bosses were more likely to disregard etiquette (e.g., eating the fourth cookie) compared to subordinates, indicating power’s influence on behavior.

Harassment in the Workplace

Types:

  • Harassment typically abuses power dynamics, leading to adverse effects on workplace morality and safety.

  • Workplace Bullying: Defined variably, often seen as behavior that intimidates or degrades individuals, with signs of power abuse.

  • Sexual Harassment: Involves unwanted behaviors of a sexual nature that disrupt work environments and lead to adverse repercussions.

Protection Mechanisms:

  • Implementing clear policies defining harassment and processes for addressing complaints.

Romantic Relationships at Work

  • Many organizations prohibit hierarchical romantic relationships due to potential abuse of power and associated risks.

  • Concerns over productivity and possible harassment claims contribute to this stance.

Political Behavior at Work

  • Political behavior includes actions outside specified job roles aimed at influencing power dynamics.

  • Examples include withholding information, joining coalitions, and lobbying.

Navigating Workplace Politics:

  • Collaborate with supportive colleagues, document contributions, handle conflicts professionally, and familiarize yourself with key organizational players.

Impression Management Techniques:

  • Techniques aim to shape others' perceptions favorably.

  • Examples:
      - Conformity: Agreeing with others for approval.
      - Favors: Doing deeds to gain goodwill.
      - Self-Promotion: Highlighting personal achievements.
      - Apologies: Acknowledging faults to seek forgiveness.

Ethical Dilemma Scenarios:

  • Challenges in navigating workplace ethics regarding performance appraisals and management feedback share complexities of power dynamics and trust.