10 Power and Politics

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Power and Politics


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Implementation through Others

Culture

Shared vision

Use of hierarchical authority Use of informal power


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Power

It is capacity of a person, team or

organization (A) to influence other(B) so that B acts in accordance

with As wishes. It is potential to do

so.


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What Creates Dependency?

Importance

Scarcity

Non substitutability


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Counterpower

The capacity to a person, team ororganization to keep a powerful

person or group in the exchange

relationship.


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Person A

Counter Power

Power

Person BPersons B

Goal

Dependence in thePowerRelationship


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Coping Uncertainty

Prevention

Forecasting

Absorption


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ContingenciesofPower

Substitutability : The extent to which peopledependent on a resource

and alternative to that resource.

Centrality: The degree and nature ofinterdependence between

the power holder and others.

Discretion: The freedom to exercisejudgment.

Visibility : When power base is visible

to others.


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DerivedPower

Cultivating social relationship

Close and intimate relationship

with the formal authority


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Bases of Power

1. Formal Power: It is based on an individuals

position in an organization. Formal power can

come from the ability to coerce or reward, or

from formal authority.

1.1 Coercive Power: It is dependent on fear

1.2 Reward Power : It is based on positive

benefits.1.3 Legitimate Power: It is based on structural

position


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Base of Power(Contd)

2. Personal Power: It comes from an individuals

unique characteristics.

2.1 Expert Power: Experience, special skillor knowledge.

2.2 Referent Power: It is based on desirable

resources orpersonal traits.

It is also known as charismaticpower.


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Operating ValueofPower

Fixed

Free

Legitimate

Power

( Direction Style)

Reward and

Coercive Power

( Pressure Style)

Expert

Power

( Logical

Persuasion

Style)

Referent

Power

( ExchangeStyle)

Cool Hot


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PowerTactics

How do people translate power bases in to specificactions for influencing others:

Legitimacy

Rational persuasion Inspirational appeals

Consultation

Exchange

Personal appeals

Ingratiation

Pressure

Coalition


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Influencing the Hierarchy

Seniors

-Rational persuasion

Juniors

-Inspirational appeals

-Pressure

-Legitimacy

Peers

-Consultation

-Coalition

-Personal appeals


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Politics


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Power and Politics

Ifpower refers to the ability to influence,

the politics relates to the ways people gain

and use power


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Politics inOrganizations

Behaviors that others perceive as

self-serving tactics forpersonal gain

at the expense of otherpeople andpossibly the organization.

But, those who are engaged in

such behavior justify by linking it

with the organizational goals


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Politics in the EyeofBeholder

Political Label EffectiveManagement Label

Blaming others

Buttering

Passing the buck

Playing safe

Creating conflict

InterferingOpportunistic

Arrogant

Fixing responsibility

Demonstrating loyalty

Delegating authority

Documenting decisions

Encouraging change

Improving efficiencyAstute

Confident


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Political Behavior

When employees in organizations convert

theirpower into action ( which is not part offormal role ), we describe them being

engaged in politics. It is influence or

attempt to influence the distribution ofadvantages and disadvantages within the

organization.


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Type of Political Behavior

Legitimate

Illegitimate


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Politicking

Employees getting engaged in the

activities to influence or taint thefacts to support their goals and

interests.


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Factors Contributing to Political

Behavior Individual-Personality traits

-Expectation of success by usingillegitimate means

-Perceived job alternatives

Organizational-Low trust

-Resource crunch

-Promotion opportunity


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Impression Management

The process by which individuals

attempt to control the impression others

form of them


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Use ofImpression

Management

In interviews through self-promotion

In performance appraisal throughingratiation


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Impression Management

Techniques

Conformity

Excuses Apologies

Self-promotion

Flattery

Favours

Association

Documents

10 Power and Politics