Power & Politics
A Definition of Power
Power
The capacity that A has to influence
the behavior of B so that B acts in
accordance with A’s wishes
Exists as a potential or fully actualized
influence over a dependent
relationship
Dependency
B’s relationship to A when A possesses something that B
requires
The greater B's dependence, the more power A has
Dependency: The Key to Power
The General Dependency Postulate
The greater B’s dependency on A, the greater the power A
has over B
Possession/control of scarce organizational resources
that others need makes a manager powerful
Access to optional resources (e.g., multiple suppliers)
reduces the resource holder’s power
Dependency increases when resources are:
Important
Scarce
Non substitutable
Ch-17
Power and Politics
Power vs. Authority
Authority but Authority Power but
No power Plus power No authority
The right but The right and The ability but
not the ability the ability to get not the right to
to get subordinates subordinates to get other people
to do things do things to do things
The Relationship between Authority and Power
Cont….
Copyright © 2009, V S P Rao
Organisational Behaviour V S P Rao Excel Books
Ch-17
Power and Politics
Differences between Power and Authority
Power Authority
1. Ability. Power is the ability of an individual Right. Authority is the right to command and extract
to affect and influence others. work from employees.
2. Leadership. Power is generally Managership. Authority is vested with manager.
associated with leadership
3. Board. Power is a broader concept and Narrow. Authority is a narrow concept. A manager
includes authority also in some sense. may have considerable authority but still may be
Authority is nothing but institutionalised powerless.
power.
4. Two faces. Power has two faces. Congruence. We cannot make such markedly distinct
Negative and positive. Personal faces of authority. And such distinction becomes
domination at the expense of others is ridiculous with regard to authority.
negative; socialised power is a
praiseworthy positive face.
5. Personal. Power is a personal quality. Positional. Authority is mostly vested in the position.
Legitimate power is similar to authority.
Cont….
Copyright © 2009, V S P Rao
Organisational Behaviour V S P Rao Excel Books
Bases of Power: Formal Power
Formal Power
Established by an individual’s position in an
organization
Three bases:
Reward Power
Compliance achieved based on the
ability to distribute rewards that
others view as valuable
Coercive Power
A power base dependent on fear of
negative results
14-8
Legitimate Power -
The formal authority to control and use resources based
on a person’s position in the formal hierarchy Emotional
Emotional Power -
Personal relationship can also acts as a power base if the
person being influenced needs to maintain the relationship.
Charismatic Power –
Charismatic leader arouses strong emotions and gets things
done.
Reflected Power –
Power derived from a person with larger power bases. Secretary
to Chief Ministers or Ministers.
Manipulative Power –
Power is exercised by withholding from, or deprive a person of
information or by delaying actions.
Bases of Power: Personal Power
Power that comes from an individual’s unique
characteristics – these are the most effective
Expert Power
Influence based on special skills or knowledge
Staff Functions ,Strategy making, divisionalisation and
decentralisation or centralisation
Referent Power
Influence based on possession by an individual of desirable
resources or personal traits
Politics: Power in Action
Features
Use of some kind of authority, power or pressure over
other person or group.
Self serving in nature
Outside ones specified job requirements
They may or may not be rational but are meant to
acquire power
Present in all org. at all levels in varying degree.
Reasons for Politics
Lust for power
Authority
Command over Scare Resources
Self serving behaviour
Saturation in Career
Organisational Change
Political Behavior in Organizations
Organizational Politics - the use of power and
influence in [Link] also involves
intentional acts of influence to enhance or
protect the self interest of individuals or
groups
Political Behavior - actions not officially
sanctioned by an organization that are taken to
influence others in order to meet one’s personal
goals
Power
and Political Behavior
Political behavior is the method
that organization members use to
demonstrate power.
Political behavior is not bad; in fact,
it is quite necessary for healthy
organizations. However, there are
acceptable and unacceptable
political behaviors.
Controlling
Provide
Political Behavior
Remove
Sufficient
Political Norms
Resources
Hire
Introduce
Low-Politics
Clear Rules
Employees
Increase
Free Flowing
Opportunities
Information
for Dialogue
Manage Change Peer Pressure
Effectively Against Politics
Strategies of Acquiring Power
Maintain alliance with powerful people
Divide and rule
Manipulate classified information
Make a quick showing
Collect and use IOUs. While doing favours, make it evident
that you owe something in return.
Attack and blame others
Progress one step at a time.
Wait for crisis
Take counsel with caution
Beware of resource dependence
