XLRI JamshedpurSchool of Business & Human Resources

POWER AND POLITICS

Power

The capacity that A has to influence the behaviour of B so that B acts inbehaviour of B so that B acts in accordance with As wishes

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Power and Leadership

Leaders use power as a means to achieve Leaders use power as a means to achieve group goalsP d t i l tibilit Power does not require goal compatibility; operates on dependency

Direction of influence Leadership is an individual phenomenon (ex. p p (

Style etc) while power can be group as well

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Bases of power: Formal power

Coercive power: Power that is based on fear (ex: A has power if he can suspend B)Power that is based on fear (ex: A has power if he can suspend B)

Reward power: Abilit t di t ib t d th t th i l bl Ability to distribute rewards that others view as valuable.

Legitimate power: Based on the position in the formal hierarchy of an organ.

Information power: Power that comes from access to and control over information

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Bases of power: Personal powerExpert power: Influence based on special skills or knowledgeInfluence based on special skills or knowledge

Referent power: Influence based on desirable resources/ personal traits Ex: Power that comes from like, respect admiration -

Celebrities

Charismatic power:Charismatic power: Due to the charisma of the person

E i f fDr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Extension of referent power.

Dependency: The Key to Power

What creates dependency?What creates dependency?

Dependency is increased when the resource one control is:

Important

Scarce

Non-substitutable Non-substitutable

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Power TacticsWays to translate power into specific actions

Reason: Use of data and logic Reason: Use of data and logic

Friendliness: Being friendly prior to the request

Coalition: Getting support to back up the request Coalition: Getting support to back up the request

Bargaining: Use of negotiation keeping favours in mind

Assertiveness: Insisting on compliance Assertiveness: Insisting on compliance

Higher authority: Getting support from higher levels to back up the requestq

Sanctions: Use of rewards or punishments to get it done

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Politics: Power in Action

Activities that are not required as part ofones formal role in the organization butone s formal role in the organization, butthat influence, or attempt to influence, thedistribution of advantages anddisadvantages within the organizationdisadvantages within the organization.

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

The Reality of Politics

A fact of life in organizationsIf o ignore do so at o r peril If you ignore, do so at your peril

Can organizations be politics free?

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Types of political power

Legitimate political behaviorLegitimate political behavior Normal everyday politics Ex. Complaining to the boss, by-passing chain of command

Illegitimate political behaviorsg p Extreme political behavior that violates the implied

rules of the gamerules of the game.

Ex. sabotage, whistle blowing, and symbolic protests etc.

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Factors Influencing Political Behavior

Individual factors High self-monitors, Internal locus of control and High

need for power

Organizational factorsR ll ti f P ti t iti Reallocation of resources, Promotion opportunities, Low trust, Role ambiguity, Unclear performance evaluation system, Democratic decision making, High performance pressures, Self-serving senior managers

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Impression Management

The process by which individuals attempt toThe process by which individuals attempt tocontrol the impression others form of them.

Positive perception brings in benefits for people in orgnsPositive perception brings in benefits for people in orgns.

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Impression Management (IM) Techniques

Conformity Agreement to gain approval Excuses Explanation to reduce severity Apologies Admitting responsibility and seeking pardon Self-Promotion Calling attention to ones achievements Acclaiming Explanation of favourable events Flattery Complementing another to make oneself likable Favours Doing something nice to get approval Association Protecting ones image by establishing linkages

( Ex: Your boss studied in my B-school)

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Defensive behaviour

Reactive and protective behavior to avoidReactive and protective behavior to avoidaction, blame, or change

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Defensive Behaviors

Avoiding Action Overconfirming Passing the buck Playing dumb Overconfirming, Passing the buck, Playing dumb,

Depersonalization, Stretching and smoothing, Stalling (support privately)

Avoiding blame Bluffing Playing safe Justifying Scapegoating Misrepresenting Bluffing, Playing safe, Justifying, Scapegoating, Misrepresenting,

Escalation of commitment.

A idi ChAvoiding Change Prevention

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

Self-protection

The ethics of behaving politically

Discussion PointDiscussion Point

Dr. M G Jomon, XLRI

XLRI JamshedpurSchool of Business & Human Resources