Power and Politics

POWER
Power is the ability of individuals

or groups to induce or influence the beliefs or actions of other persons or groups In the corporate environment, power is often expressed as upward or downward With downward power, a company's superior influence subordinates. Power can be also defined as upward in a company. When a company exerts upward power, it

Types of Power
FORMAL POWER
INFORMAL POWER

FORMAL POWER
Formal power is most easily recognized in our society: generals and presidents have formal position power Position Power: The power of role and the expectations associated with a role or job title Reward Power: The ability to provide something of value to another Coercive Power: The ability to punish or to deprive the other of something of value

INFORMAL POWER
Informal power is less well understood, however, it is far stronger than formal power over the long term Expert Power: The power of respect gained as a result of what we know and what we can do Friendship Power: The power of trust, shared goals, sense of identification Presence Power: The power of image. In this people assume that person with powerful image is worthwhile and have something to contribute.

Why does having power matter?

With power you can Intercede favorably on behalf of someone in trouble
Get a desirable placement for a talented subordinate Get approval for expenditures beyond the budget Get items on and off agendas Get fast access to decision makers Maintain regular, frequent contact with

decision makers

Acquire early information about decisions and policy

POWER TACTICS
Rational persuasion:

Trying to convince someone with reason, logic, or facts. Inspirational appeals: Trying to build enthusiasm by appealing to others emotions, ideals, or values. Consultation: Getting

CONTD
Ingratiation: Getting someone in a good mood prior

to making a request; being friendly, helpful, and using praise or flattery. Personal appeals: Referring to friendship and loyalty when making a request. Exchange: Making express or implied promises and trading favors. Coalition tactics: Getting others to support your effort to persuade someone. Pressure: Demanding compliance or using intimidation or threats. Legitimating tactics: Basing a request on ones authority or right, organizational rules or polices, or express or implied support from superiors.

POLITICS
Politics is a means of

recognizing and, ultimately, reconciling competing interests within the organization Competing interests can be reconciled by any number of means Organizational politics involves intentional acts of influence to enhance or protect the self-interest of individuals or groups

Political Tactics
Attacking or blaming

others Using information as a political tool Creating a favorable image Developing a base of support Praising others (ingratiation) Forming power coalitions with strong allies Associating with influential people Creating obligations

Tips for Managing Organizational Politics

Dont close your eyes to

politics.

Reduce System

Uncertainty and Ambiguity.

Reduce Competition Break Existing Political

Fiefdoms

Prevent Future Fiefdoms Challenge political

behaviors.

CONTD
Walk the talk Recognize that others may interpret your

behaviors as political, even if you really werent being political others vulnerability to political behaviors

Reduce your own and

CASE STUDY: RISE AND FALL

First part of case study is related to the

political behavior of a person in an organization.

Second part discusses use of power by

the same person.

Following case study will be explained

in the form of role play.

CONCLUSION
This case shows how Power

and Political tactics when used in negative way can hamper any person. The use of Power and Politics as a weapon of destruction makes monsters of us. . . . Power must be the servant, not the master Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.