Power and Politics

After this presentation

you will understand
Common power tactics
The five bases of power
The difference between power to and
power over
The importance of the political perspective
The three questions that can help you
determine whether a political action is
ethical.
 Definition of Power
A capacity that A has to influence the
behaviour of B so that B acts in accordance
with As wishes.
 What is power?

Power is the ability to

Get someone to do something you want
done.
Make things happen in the way you want

Power is the opportunity to build, to create,

to nudge history in a different direction."
Richard Nixon

4
 When Managers
Influence Superiors
Most Popular Reason
Coalition
Friendliness
Bargaining
Assertiveness
Higher Authority
Least Popular
 Sources of Power in
Organizations
Power
Legitimate Power
over Others

Reward Power

Coercive Power

Expert Power

Referent Power
Coercive Power

Power
that is
based on
fear
 Reward Power

Power
that is
based on
the ability to
distribute rewards
that are seen as valuable
 Legitimate Power

Power
that a
person receives
as a result of his/her
position in the hierarchy
Expert Power

Power
based on
specific skills or
knowledge
 Referent Power

Power
based on
admiration of another
Giving employees responsibility for what they do.

Empowerment has to do with

power to
power over
 Sexual harassment
is all about power

Sexual harassment is all about.

Consequences of
Sources
Power
Consequences
of Power of Power

Expert
Power
Commitment
Referent
Power
Legitimate
Power Compliance
Reward
Power
Coercive Resistance
Power
Politics: Power in Action
Political behaviour: activities that
are not required as part of ones
formal role in the organization, but
that influence, or attempt to
influence, the distribution of
advantages and disadvantages
within the organization.
 Politics is a fact of life
in organizations.
People who ignore this fact of life
do so at their own peril.
 One of the most important
factors leading to politics
within organizations is the
realization that most of the
facts that are used to make
decisions and allocate
resources are open to
misinterpretation.
If you want to become more
politically adept in your
organization, what could you
do?
1. Frame arguments in terms of
organizational goals
2. Develop the right image
3. Gain control of organizational
resources
4. Make yourself indispensable
If you want to become more
politically adept in your
organization, what could you
do? (continued)

5. Be visible
6. Develop powerful allies
7. Avoid tainted members
8. Support your boss
 The Ethics of Behaving Politically
Question 1: Is the political action motivated by self serving interests to
the exclusion of the organizations goals?

No Yes

Unethical

Question 2: Does the

political action respect
the rights of the
individuals affected?
Yes Question 3: Is the political
No activity fair and equitable?
No Yes
Unethical
Unethical Ethical
THANK YOU