Power and Politics

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• Power and Politics

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Power Defined

• Power The ability to mobilize people and
• resources to get things done

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Politics

• Politics Behaviour to influence, or attempt to
• influence the distribution of advantages and
• disadvantages within the organization.

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Measuring Bases of Power Raven and French
Coercive Power Power that is based on
fear. Reward Power Compliance achieved based on
the ability to distribute rewards. Legitimate
Power The power a person receives as a result of
position Expert Power Influence based on special
skills or knowledge. Referent Power Influence
based on personal traits.
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EMPLOYEE RESPONSES TO BASES OF POWER
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Popularity of Power Tactics From Most to Least
Popular
When Managers Influenced Superiors
When Managers Influenced Subordinates
Reason Coalition Friendliness Bargaining Assertive
ness Higher authority
Reason Assertiveness Friendliness Coalition Bargai
ning Higher authority Sanctions
Most Popular
Least Popular
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Politicking

• Frame arguments in terms of organizational goals.
  
• Develop the right image.
• Gain control of organizational resources.
• Make yourself appear indispensable.
• Be visible.
• Develop powerful allies.
• Avoid tainted members.
• Support your boss.

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Factors Influencing Political Behaviour
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Impression Management (IM) Techniques

• Conformity
• Agreeing with someone elses opinion in order to
  gain his or her approval.
• Excuses
• Explanations of a predicament-creating event
  aimed at minimizing the apparent severity of the
  predicament.
• Apologies
• Admitting responsibility for an undesirable event
  and simultaneously seeking to get a pardon for
  the action.
• Acclamations
• Explanation of favorable events to maximize the
  desirable implications for oneself.
• Flattery
• Complimenting others about their virtues in an
  effort to make oneself appear perceptive and
  likable.
• Favours
• Doing something nice for someone to gain that
  persons approval.
• Association
• Enhancing or protecting ones image by managing
  information about people and things with which
  one is associated.

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Using Effort to Manage Your Boss

• Make sure you understand your boss and his/her
  context including
• Goals and objectives
• Pressures
• Strengths, weaknesses, blind spots
• Preferred work style

Adapted from J. J. Gabarrow and J. P. Kotter,
Managing Your Boss, Harvard Business Review
(January-February 1980) 92-100.
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Conflict and Performance
Pos.
Organizational Outcomes
Neg.
High
Low
Level of Conflict
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Conflict Management Approaches
Assertive
Collaborating
Forcing
Compromising
ASSERTIVENESS
Avoiding
Accommodating
Unassertive
Uncooperative
Cooperative
COOPERATIVENESS
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Sexual Harassment Defined

• Sexual Harassment Unwelcome sexual
• advances, requests for sexual favours, and
• other verbal or physical conduct of a
• sexual nature.

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Forms of Sexual Harassment

• Verbal Commentaries Sexual jokes, lewd comments,
  excessive comments
• Verbal Negotiation Propositions for sex
• Physical Manhandling Groping or touching
• Physical Assault Physical force

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Solutions to Sexual Harassment

• Formal Solutions Creating appropriate policies,
  employee training, and enforcement mechanisms
• Informal Solutions Face-to-face communication
  with the harasser