power dynamics in leadership

7/31/2019 Power Dynamics in Leadership

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The meaning of power

Power is the capacity of a person, team or

organisation to influence others



Influence

Influence is the process

of affecting thethoughts, 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 shemay not have the skill or ability to influence

other people.



The Evolution of Power in Organization

Domination

Consultation

Delegation

Participation



Interpersonal forms of power



Forms of power

Legitimate power

Reward power

Coercive power

Expert power

Referent power

© Reuters Archive Photos



Coercive power

Power that is based on

an agent’s ability tocause an unpleasant

experience for a target



Reward power

Power based on an

agent’s 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 skillsthat the target needs



Consequences of power

Commitment

Rewardpower

Legitimatepower

Coercivepower

Expertpower

Referentpower

Resistance

Compliance

Sourcesof power Consequencesof power



FORM OF POWER GUIDE LINES FOR USE

Reward power

Verify compliance,

make feasible, reasonable requests,

Make only ethical requests,

Offer only credible rewards.

Coercive power

Inform subordinates of rules & penalties

Warn before punishing

Administer punishment consistently & uniformly

Understand the situation before acting

Punish in private

Legitimate power

Be clear, cordial, confident & polite

Enforce compliance

Follow proper channels



Form of power Guide lines for use

Referent power

Treat subordinates fairly

Be sensitive to subordinates’ needs & feelings

Engage in role modelingDefend subordinates’ interest

Expert power

Maintain credibility

Keep informed

Recognize employee concerns

Avoid threatening subordinates’ self esteem



Importance of power in the organisation

◊ Power helps in controlling the people and help to

achieve an organization’s current goals. ◊ Power is used to decision-making process.

◊ Power influences complexity, formality andcentralization of activities in the organizations.

◊ power can determine the allocation of rewards,selection of technology etc.

◊ Power helps to efficient functioning of theorganisation



Faces of power



Positive power

It is the social power

Power used to create

motivation or toaccomplish 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

2. High versus low

3. High versus middle

versus low



Symbols of power

Ability to speak for someone in trouble

Ability to get placements for favoredemployees

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. Belief in the authority system

3. Altruism

4. Belief in justice

l l



Organizational politics

The activity that influence, or attempts toinfluence, the distribution of advantages anddisadvantages within the organization.

The use of power and influence in

organizations.



Factors Contributing to Political

Behavior Individual Factors

Authoritarian

High-risk propensity

High need for power,

status, security, or

autonomy

Organizational Factors

Level in Organization

Role ambiguity andCounter norms

Unclear evaluationsystems

Democratic decisionmaking



Sexual harassment and power

Unequal power in the

workplace

Any type of unwantedlooks, 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.

2. Try to build enthusiasm by appealing to others’emotions, ideals, or values.

3. Participate others in planning, making

decisions, and changes.



Conti…

4. Referring to friendship and loyalty when makinga request.

5. Making express or implied promises andtrading favors.

6. Getting others to support your effort topersuade someone.



Conti…

7. Getting someone in a good mood prior tomaking a request; being friendly, helpful, and

using praise or flattery.

8. Legitimating tactics. Basing a request on one’s

authority or right, organizational rules or

polices, or express or implied support from

superiors.

9. Pressure . Demanding compliance or using

intimidation or threats.



Conclusion



Thank you

power dynamics in leadership

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