Chapter 13: Power and Politics

Chapter 13: Power and
Politics
13-1
Copyright 2015 Pearson Education Ltd.
Define Power and Contrast

Leadership and Power
LO 1
Power refers to a capacity that A has to

influence the behavior of B, so that B
acts in accordance with As wishes.
Power may exist but not be used.
Probably the most important aspect of
power is that it is a function of
dependence.
A person can have power over you only if
he or she controls something you desire.
13-2
Define Power and Contrast

Leadership and Power
LO 1
Contrasting Leadership and Power

Leaders use power as a means of
attaining group goals.
Goal compatibility
Power does not require goal
compatibility, merely dependence.
The direction of influence
Leadership focuses on the downward
influence on ones followers.
Leadership research emphasizes style.
13-3
Contrast the Five Bases

of Power
LO 2
Formal Power
Coercive Power
Reward Power
Legitimate Power
Personal Power
Expert Power
Referent Power
13-4
Contrast the Five Bases

of Power
LO 2
Which Bases of Power Are Most Effective?

Personal sources are most effective.
Both expert and referent power are
positively related to employees
satisfaction with supervision, their
organizational commitment, and their
performance, whereas reward and
legitimate power seem to be unrelated to
these outcomes.
Coercive power usually backfires.
13-5
Explain the Role of

Dependence
in Power Relationships
LO 3
The General Dependency Postulate

When you possess anything that others
require but that you alone control, you
make them dependent upon you and,
therefore, you gain power over them.
Dependence, then, is inversely
proportional to the alternative sources
of supply.
13-6
Explain the Role of

Dependence
in Power Relationships
LO 3
What Creates Dependence?

Importance
Scarcity
Nonsubstitutability
13-7
Identify Nine Power or Influence

Tactics and their Contingencies
LO 4
Research has identified nine distinct influence

tactics:
1. Legitimacy
2. Rational persuasion
3. Inspirational appeals
4. Consultation
5. Exchange
6. Personal appeals
7. Ingratiating
8. Pressure
9. Coalitions
13-8
13-8

LO 4
13-9
13-9

LO 4
People differ in terms of their political skill

their ability to influence others to enhance
their own objectives.
The politically skilled are more effective
users of all influence tactics.
Cultures within organizations differ markedly:
some are warm, relaxed, and supportive;
others are formal and conservative.
People who fit the culture of the
organization tend to obtain more influence.
13-10
13-10
Show
the Connection Between
LO 5
Sexual Harassment and the Abuse
of Power
Sexual harassment any unwanted
activity of a sexual nature that affects an
individuals employment and creates a
hostile work environment.
Surveys indicate between 25 and 40
percent of individuals report being
sexually harassed.
13-11
Show
the Connection Between
LO 5
Sexual Harassment and the Abuse
of Power
The concept of power is central to
understanding sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is more likely to
occur when there are large power
differentials.
Sexual harassment by the boss typically
creates the greatest difficulty for those
being harassed.
13-12
Identify the Causes and

Consequences of Political
Behavior
LO 6
Political behavior activities that are not

required as part of ones formal role in the
organization, but that influence the distribution
of advantages within the organization.
Outside of ones specified job requirements.
Encompasses efforts to influence decision
making goals, criteria, or processes.
Includes such behaviors as withholding
information, whistle blowing, spreading
rumors, and leaking confidential information.
13-13

Behavior
LO 6
13-14

Behavior
LO 6
13-15

Behavior
LO 6
13-16

Behavior
LO 6
13-17
LO 7
Apply Impression
Management Techniques
Impression management (IM) the process

by which individuals attempt to control the
impression others form of them.
Mostly high self-monitors.
Impressions people convey are not necessarily
false they might truly believe them.
Intentional misrepresentation may have a high
cost.
Studies show the effectiveness of IM depends on
the situation, such as job interviews and
performance evaluations.
13-18
LO 7
Apply Impression
Management Techniques
Almost all our conclusions on employee

reactions to organizational politics are
based on studies conducted in North
America.
The few studies that have included
other countries suggest some minor
modifications.
Chinese cultures
East Asian
Politically unstable or turbulent
countries
13-19
LO 8
Determine Whether a
Political Action Is Ethical
The Ethics of Behaving Politically

Questions to consider:
What is the utility of engaging in politicking?
How does the utility of engaging in the
political behavior balance out any harm (or
potential harm) it will do to others?
Does the political activity conform to
standards of equity and justice?
Immoral people can justify almost any
behavior.
Recognize the ability of power to corrupt.
13-20
LO 8
Determine Whether a
Political Action Is Ethical
13-21
Implications for Managers

If you want to get things done in a group
or an organization, it helps to have
power.
As a manager who wants to maximize
your power, you will want to increase
others dependence on you.
You will not be alone in attempting to
build your power bases.
Try to avoid putting others in a position
where they feel they have no power.
13-22
Implications for Managers

By assessing behavior in a political framework,
you can better predict the actions of others
and use that information to formulate political
strategies that will gain advantages for you
and your work unit.
Employees who have poor political skills or are
unwilling to play the politics game generally
relate perceived organizational politics to
lower job satisfaction and self-reported
performance, increased anxiety, and higher
turnover. Help your employees understand the
importance of becoming politically savvy.
13-23

Chapter 13: Power and Politics

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Chapter 13: Power and Politics

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Chapter 13: Power and

Define Power and Contrast

Power refers to a capacity that A has to

Define Power and Contrast

Contrasting Leadership and Power

Contrast the Five Bases

Contrast the Five Bases

Which Bases of Power Are Most Effective?

Explain the Role of

The General Dependency Postulate

Explain the Role of

What Creates Dependence?

Identify Nine Power or Influence

Research has identified nine distinct influence

Identify Nine Power or Influence

Identify Nine Power or Influence

People differ in terms of their political skill

Identify the Causes and

Political behavior activities that are not

Identify the Causes and

Identify the Causes and

Identify the Causes and

Identify the Causes and

Impression management (IM) the process

Almost all our conclusions on employee

The Ethics of Behaving Politically

Implications for Managers

Implications for Managers

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