Power & Politics

Objectives

  • Understand the differences between leadership and power.

  • Explain the bases of formal and personal power.

  • Describe the role of dependence in power relationships.

  • Identify influence tactics and their contexts.

  • Understand political behavior in organizations and its impacts.

Power

  • Definition: Power is the capacity, discretion, and means to enforce one’s will over others.

  • Dependence: Refers to how much others rely on a powerful individual. The more they depend, the greater that individual's power becomes.

Power vs Leadership

  • Power requires dependence, while Leadership requires goal compatibility.

  • Power focuses mainly on downward influence; leadership includes downward, lateral, and upward relationships.

  • Research on Power emphasizes compliance tactics; research on Leadership emphasizes supportive styles and decision-sharing.

Bases of Power

Formal Power

  • Types:

    1. Coercive Power: Based on fear of negative results from non-compliance.

    2. Reward Power: Based on the ability to distribute valuable rewards (financial and non-financial).

    3. Legitimate Power: Stemming from a person's position within a formal hierarchy, granting authority to control resources.

Personal Power

  • Definition: Comes from an individual’s unique characteristics.

  • Types:

    1. Expert Power: Based on specialized skills or knowledge.

    2. Referent Power: Based on respect and admiration; characterized by relationships where individuals wish to please the referent.

Dependence

  • Greater dependence leads to stronger power dynamics. Power controls resources that others need.

  • Factors Increasing Dependence:

    1. Importance: Resources critical for survival are more powerful.

    2. Scarcity: High demand and limited supply increase power.

    3. Nonsubstitutability: The fewer substitutes exist, the greater the power of control.

Influence Tactics

  • Definition: Actions translating power into specific efforts.

  • Types:

    • Legitimacy: Using authority.

    • Rational Persuasion: Logical arguments.

    • Inspirational Appeals: Emotional commitment.

    • Consultation: Involving others in decision-making.

    • Exchange: Offering benefits in return for compliance.

    • Personal Appeals: Requesting based on friendship.

    • Ingratiation: Flattery before requests.

    • Pressure: Use of threats and demands.

    • Coalitions: Enlisting support from others.

Cultural Preferences for Influence Tactics

  • Individualistic Cultures: Prefer rational appeals and personalized power.

  • Collectivistic Cultures: See power as a means of helping others, with a tendency towards coalition tactics.

The Influence of Power

  • Power can skew perceptions, making people prioritize their own interests and diminish empathy towards others.

  • Positive Outcomes: Power can energize motivation and increase support behaviors.

  • Cognitive Shortcuts: Powerful individuals tend to simplify information, favor quick decision-making, and rely on heuristics.

Political Behavior in Organizations

  • Definition: Actions aimed at influencing the allocation of resources and rewards.

  • Types of political actions include withholding information, joining coalitions, and engaging in rumor spreading.

Reactions to Organizational Politics

  • Perspectives on organizational politics can be reactive (destructive), reluctant (necessary evil), strategic (a tool), or integrated (central component of decision-making).

Defensive Behaviors

  • Definition: Reactive behaviors to avoid blame or change, including over-conforming, buck-passing, playing dumb, and stalling.

  • Examples of Defensive Behaviors:

    • Avoiding Action: Stretching tasks, playing dumb, etc.

    • Avoiding Blame: Bluffing, justifying, scapegoating.

    • Avoiding Change: Acting defensively to protect self-interests.

Impression Management (IM)

  • Definition: The process of influencing how others perceive an individual, which can be authentic or disingenuous.

  • IM Techniques:

    • Conformity: Agreeing with others to gain approval.

    • Favours: Offering help to gain approval.

    • Excuses: Minimizing the severity of mistakes.

    • Apologies: Seeking pardon for mistakes.

    • Self-Promotion: Highlighting achievements to gain recognition.

Conclusion

  • The concepts of power and politics are integral to organizational behavior and significantly impact career progression and interpersonal dynamics. Understanding these dynamics enhances one’s ability to navigate workplace environments effectively and achieve personal career goals.