Power
Empowerment
How to get it
How to use it
…without abusing it
Definition
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A “four letter word”?
Influence?
Control over others?
Being able to get things done?
??????
What Is Power?
• The Capacity to Influence
Individuals or Groups to
Behave in Ways They Would
Not on Their Own
• Power Is a Function of
Dependence
A shifting definition…
• Reflects the new “reality” of organizations
• A new definition of “employee”
Why does having power matter?
With power you can…
• Intercede favorably on behalf of someone in trouble
• Get a desirable placement for a talented subordinate
• Get approval for expenditures beyond the budget
• Get items on and off agendas
• Get fast access to decision makers
• Maintain regular, frequent contact with decision
makers
• Acquire early information about decisions and policy
shifts
The goal?
• Overcome feelings of powerlessness
• Convert power effectively into interpersonal
influences in ways that avoid the abuse of
power
To empower yourself
To facilitate the empowerment
of others
How Can Power Be Acquired?
• Position Power
– Authority
– Rewards
– Punishments
• Personal Power
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Expertise
Charisma
Effort
Access to Information
Association Power
Sources of Personal Power
• Expertise: task relevant knowledge or
experience
• Charisma: desirable characteristics
• Effort: higher than expected commitment of
time **
• Access to Information
• Association
Expertise
• Formal training
• On the job experience
• Specialization
…but can be typecast
Charisma
• Agreeable personality (likeability)
• Impression management (magnetism)
• Attractive physical appearance
Is this necessary?
Does it lead to empowerment?
Effort
• Managers will reward (and promote on the
basis of) hard work.
• Coworkers?
Sources of position power
• The nature of one’s position and task
assignments
Position Power
• Authority (legitimacy)
• Rewards
• Punishment
Characteristics of Position
Power
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Centrality
Criticality
Flexibility
Visibility
Relevance
How ELSE Can Power Be
Acquired?
• Creating Dependency
• Impression Management
• Politicking
– How Political
Are You?
Politicking
– How Political Are You?
• Interpretation
• Implications
• Three-step Political Diagnostic Analysis
– Assess the Organizational Culture
– Assess the Power of Others
– Assess Your Own Power
Using Power to Maximize Your
Managerial Effectiveness
• What Can You Do to Improve Your Political
Effectiveness?
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Frame Arguments in Terms of Organizational Goals
Develop the Right Image
Gain Control of Organizational Resources
Make Yourself Appear Indispensable
Be Visible
Get a Mentor
Develop Powerful Allies
Avoid “Tainted” Members
Support Your Boss
Using Power to Maximize Your
Managerial Effectiveness (continued)
• What Specific Power
Tactics Can You Apply?
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Reasoning
Friendliness
Coalitions
Bargaining
Higher Authority
Assertiveness
Sanctions
Should You Use Defensive
Behaviors to Protect Your Power?
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Avoiding Action
Avoiding Blame
Avoiding Change
Effects of Defensive
Behavior
Consider the
Cost-benefit Equation
• Weigh Potential Costs of
a Political Strategy
against Its Potential
Benefits.
Exhibit 14.1: Is a Political Action Ethical?