Power & Politics

A Definition of Power
Power
The capacity that A has to influence
the behavior of B so that B acts in
accordance with A’s wishes
Exists as a potential or fully actualized
influence over a dependent
relationship
Dependency
B’s relationship to A when A possesses something that B
requires
The greater B's dependence, the more power A has
Dependency: The Key to Power
The General Dependency Postulate
The greater B’s dependency on A, the greater the power A
has over B
Possession/control of scarce organizational resources
that others need makes a manager powerful
Access to optional resources (e.g., multiple suppliers)
reduces the resource holder’s power
Dependency increases when resources are:
Important
Scarce
Non substitutable
Ch-17
Power and Politics

Power vs. Authority

Authority but Authority Power but

No power Plus power No authority

The right but The right and The ability but

not the ability the ability to get not the right to
to get subordinates subordinates to get other people
to do things do things to do things

The Relationship between Authority and Power

Cont….

Copyright © 2009, V S P Rao

Organisational Behaviour V S P Rao Excel Books

Ch-17
Power and Politics
Differences between Power and Authority
Power
1. Ability. Power is the ability of an individual
to affect and influence others.
2. Leadership. Power is generally
associated with leadership
3. Board. Power is a broader concept and
includes authority also in some sense.
Authority is nothing but institutionalised
power.
4. Two faces. Power has two faces.
Negative and positive. Personal
domination at the expense of others is
negative; socialised power is a
praiseworthy positive face.
5. Personal. Power is a personal quality.
Organisational Behaviour
Authority
Right. Authority is the right to command and extract
work from employees.
Managership. Authority is vested with manager.
Narrow. Authority is a narrow concept. A manager
may have considerable authority but still may be
powerless.
Congruence. We cannot make such markedly distinct
faces of authority. And such distinction becomes
ridiculous with regard to authority.
Positional. Authority is mostly vested in the position.
Legitimate power is similar to authority.
Cont….
Copyright © 2009, V S P Rao
V S P Rao Excel Books
Bases of Power: Formal Power
Formal Power
Established by an individual’s position in an
organization
Three bases:
 Reward Power
 Compliance achieved based on the

ability to distribute rewards that

others view as valuable
 Coercive Power
 A power base dependent on fear of

negative results

14-8
Legitimate Power -
The formal authority to control and use resources based
on a person’s position in the formal hierarchy Emotional
Emotional Power -
Personal relationship can also acts as a power base if the
person being influenced needs to maintain the relationship.
Charismatic Power –
Charismatic leader arouses strong emotions and gets things
done.
Reflected Power –
Power derived from a person with larger power bases. Secretary
to Chief Ministers or Ministers.
Manipulative Power –
Power is exercised by withholding from, or deprive a person of
information or by delaying actions.
Bases of Power: Personal Power
Power that comes from an individual’s unique
characteristics – these are the most effective
Expert Power
 Influence based on special skills or knowledge
 Staff Functions ,Strategy making, divisionalisation and

decentralisation or centralisation
 Referent Power
 Influence based on possession by an individual of desirable

resources or personal traits

Politics: Power in Action
Features
Use of some kind of authority, power or pressure over
other person or group.
Self serving in nature
Outside ones specified job requirements
They may or may not be rational but are meant to
acquire power
Present in all org. at all levels in varying degree.
Reasons for Politics
Lust for power
Authority
Command over Scare Resources
Self serving behaviour
Saturation in Career
Organisational Change
 Political Behavior in Organizations
Organizational Politics - the use of power and
influence in organizations.It also involves
intentional acts of influence to enhance or
protect the self interest of individuals or
groups
Political Behavior - actions not officially
sanctioned by an organization that are taken to
influence others in order to meet one’s personal
goals
Power

and Political Behavior
Political behavior is the method
that organization members use to
demonstrate power.
Political behavior is not bad; in fact,
it is quite necessary for healthy
organizations. However, there are
acceptable and unacceptable
political behaviors.
Controlling
Provide
Political Behavior
Remove
Sufficient
Political Norms
Resources

Hire
Introduce
Low-Politics
Clear Rules
Employees

Increase
Free Flowing
Opportunities
Information
for Dialogue

Manage Change Peer Pressure

Effectively Against Politics
Strategies of Acquiring Power
Maintain alliance with powerful people
Divide and rule
Manipulate classified information
Make a quick showing
Collect and use IOUs. While doing favours, make it evident
that you owe something in return.
Attack and blame others
Progress one step at a time.
Wait for crisis
Take counsel with caution
Beware of resource dependence