Learning Outcomes Chapter 11 Power and Political Behavior

The Concept of Power – the ability to influence another person Influence – the process of affecting the thoughts, behavior, and feelings of another person Authority – the right to influence another person © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Interpersonal Forms of Power Reward Power – agent’s ability to control the rewards that the target wants Coercive Power – agent’s ability to cause an unpleasant experience for a target Legitimate Power – agent and target agree that agent has influential rights, based on position and mutual agreement Referent Power – based on interpersonal attraction Expert Power – agent has knowledge target needs © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Power: Compliance or Effectiveness w Compliance: Focused on doing things right (management) n Reward, Coercive, Legitimate power n Least effective but most often used my managers w Effectiveness: focused on doing the right thing (leadership) n Referent, expert power n Develop through interpersonal relationships with employees © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Which Power Is Most Effective? Expert Power! • Strongest relationship to performance & satisfaction • Transfers vital skills, abilities, and knowledge within the organization • Employees internalize what they observe & learn from managers they consider “experts” © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Guidelines for Ethical Use of Power © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

[Criteria for Using Power Ethically] Does the behavior produce a good outcome for people both inside and outside the organization? Does the behavior respect the rights of all parties? Does the behavior treat all parties equitably and fairly? © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

How to spot an asshole (Sutton, 2007) 1. After talking to the alleged asshole, does the ‘target” feel oppressed, humiliated, deeneergized, or belittled by the person? In particular, does the target feel worse about him or herself? 2. Does the alleged asshole aim his or her venom at people who are less powerful rather than at those people who are more powerful? (Kiss up, kick down) © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

[Two Faces of Power] Personal Power n used for personal gain Social Power n

• Social power –Create motivation or accomplish group goals –Best managers have a high need for social power coupled with a relatively low need for affiliation • They want to do good for all of their employees, not just the ones that are their buddies Watch a flick if time permits © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Kanter’s Symbols of Power • Intercede for someone in trouble • Obtain placements for favored employees • Exceed budget limitations • Procure above-average raises for employees • Place items on meeting agendas • Access to early information • Have top managers seek out their opinion Common Theme: Doing things for others © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Kanter’s Symbols of Powerlessness Top Executives Staff Professionals • budget cuts • punishing behaviors • top-down communications • resistance to change • turf protection Managers • assign external attribution blame others or environment First-line Supervisors • overly close supervision • inflexible adherence to rules • do job rather than train Key to overcoming powerlessness: share power and delegate decision making © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Korda’s Power Symbols Furnishings Time © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Access

Organizational Politics the use of power and influence in organizations © 2011 Cengage Learning.

Political Behavior actions not officially sanctioned by an organization that are taken to influence

Conditions Encouraging Political Activity • Unclear goals • Autocratic decision making • Ambiguous lines

Influence Tactics © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Influence Tactics The most frequently used influence tactics are: Consultation Rational persuasion Inspirational appeals

[Using Influence Tactics ] • Develop and maintain open lines of communication in all directions • Treat the targets of influence attempts with basic respect • Understand that influence relationships are reciprocal • Direct influence attempts towards organizational goals © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Political Skill ability to get things done through positive interpersonal relationships outside the formal

[Managing Political Behavior] • • • Recognize it Open communication Clarify performance expectations Participative management Encourage cooperation among work groups • Manage scarce resources well • Provide a supportive organizational climate © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

+ + Psychological Strain - Perception Of Politics Morale • Job Satisfaction • Affective Commitment Turnover Intentions + Performance • Task • OCB Chang, C. , Rosen, C. , Levy, P. 2009. AMJ, 52(4): 779 -801 © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Managing Up: The Boss © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Managing Up: The Boss SOURCE: Reprinted by permission of Harvard Business Review. From “Managing Your Boss, ” by J. J. Gabarro and J. P. Kotter, (May–June 1993): p. 155. Copyright © 1993 by the Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation; all rights reserved. © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Empowerment creating conditions for heightened motivation through the development of a strong sense of

Four Dimensions of Empowerment Meaning Selfdetermination Competence Impact © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights

[Guidelines for Empowering] • Express confidence in employees and set high performance expectations • Create opportunities for participative decision making • Remove bureaucratic constraints that stifle autonomy • Set inspirational and meaningful goals © 2011 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.