Power dynamics in leadership

Yasmin N.R. Anu Balan P.

The meaning of power

Power

is the capacity of a person, team or organisation to influence others

Influence

Influence is the process of affecting the thoughts, behavior & feelings of others.

Authority & power

A manager may have authority but no power. She may have the right, by virtue of her position as boss, to tell some to do. But she may not have the skill or ability to influence other people.

The Evolution of Power in Organization

Delegation Participation
Consultation

Domination

Interpersonal forms of power

Forms of power
Legitimate power

Reward power

Coercive power

Expert power
Reuters Archive Photos

Referent power

Coercive power

Power that is based on an agents ability to cause an unpleasant experience for a target

Reward power

Power based on an agents ability to control rewards that a target wants.

Legitimate power
Power that is based on position and mutual agreement; agent & target agree that the agent has the right to influence the target.

Referent power
An elusive power that is based on interpersonal attraction.

Expert power

The power that exists when an agent has specialized knowledge or skills that the target needs

Consequences of power
Sources of power Expert power
Commitment

Consequences of power

Referent power Legitimate power Reward power Coercive power

Resistance Compliance

Using power ethically

FORM OF POWER

GUIDE LINES FOR USE Verify compliance, make feasible, reasonable requests, Make only ethical requests, Offer only credible rewards.

Reward power

Coercive power

Inform subordinates of rules & penalties Warn before punishing Administer punishment consistently & uniformly Understand the situation before acting Punish in private Be clear, cordial, confident & polite Enforce compliance Follow proper channels

Legitimate power

Form of power

Guide lines for use

Referent power

Treat subordinates fairly Be sensitive to subordinates needs & feelings Engage in role modeling Defend subordinates interest Maintain credibility Keep informed Recognize employee concerns Avoid threatening subordinates self esteem

Expert power

Importance of power in the organisation

Power helps in controlling the people and help to achieve an organizations current goals. Power is used to decision-making process. Power influences complexity, formality and centralization of activities in the organizations. power can determine the allocation of rewards, selection of technology etc. Power helps to efficient functioning of the organisation

Faces of power

Positive power
It is the social power Power used to create motivation or to accomplish group goals

Negative Power
It Is the personal power - power used for personal gain Power hungry when Managers who use personal power

Power networks
1.

Equal versus equal High versus low High versus middle versus low

2.

3.

Symbols of power

Ability to speak for someone in trouble Ability to get placements for favored employees Exceeding budget limitations Getting items on the agenda at meetings Access to early information

Symbols of powerlessness

Close supervision Inflexible rules Tendency to do jobs themselves rather than training their employees to do it.

Power-oriented characteristics for successful managers

1.

Preference for work and discipline

2. 3. 4.

Belief in the authority system

Altruism Belief in justice

Organizational politics

The activity that influence, or attempts to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization. The use of power and influence in organizations.

Factors Contributing to Political Behavior

Individual Factors

Organizational Factors

Authoritarian

Level in Organization Role ambiguity and Counter norms Unclear evaluation systems Democratic decision making

High-risk propensity
High need for power, status, security, or autonomy

Sexual harassment and power

Unequal power in the workplace Any type of unwanted looks, command or jokes against opposite gender

Sharing power : Psychological empowerment

Meaningfulness Competence or Self efficacy Impact Self determining Trust.

Nine Generic Influence Tactics

1.

Try to convince someone with reason, logic, or facts. Try to build enthusiasm by appealing to others emotions, ideals, or values. Participate others in planning, making decisions, and changes.

2.

3.

Conti
4.

Referring to friendship and loyalty when making a request.

Making express or implied promises and trading favors. Getting others to support your effort to persuade someone.

5.

6.

Conti
7.

Getting someone in a good mood prior to making a request; being friendly, helpful, and using praise or flattery. Legitimating tactics. Basing a request on ones authority or right, organizational rules or polices, or express or implied support from superiors. Pressure. Demanding compliance or using intimidation or threats.

8.

9.

Conclusion

Thank you