Chapter 13 - Power & politics

A definition of power

• @@Power@@: capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B, so that B acts in B accordance with A’s wishes.
• @@Dependency@@: B’s relationship to A when A possesses something that requires.

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Bases of power

• Formal power
  • @@Coercive power@@: power base that is dependent on fear of the negative results from failing to comply.
  • @@Reward power@@: compliance achieved based on the ability to distribute rewards that others view as valuable.
  • @@Legitimate power@@: power a person receives as a result of his/her position in the formal hierarchy of an organization.
• Personal power
  • @@Expert power@@: influence based on special skills or knowledge.
  • @@Referent power@@: influence based on identification with a person who has desirable resources or personal traits.

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Power tactics

• @@Power tactics@@: ways in which individuals translate power bases into specific actions.
• Nine influence tactics
  • Legitimacy
  • Rational persuasion
  • Inspirational appeals
  • Consultation
  • Exchange
  • Ingratiation
  • Pressure
  • Coalitions
• @@Political skill@@: ability to influence others in such a way as to enhance one’s objectives.

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Politics: power in action

• @@Political behavior@@: activities that are not required as part of a person’s formal role in the organization but that influence or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization.

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Causes and consequences of political behavior

• @@Defensive behaviors@@: reactive and protective behaviors to avoid action, blame or change.
• @@Impression management (IM)@@: process by which individuals attempt to control the impression others form of them.

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