08-01-2013, 11:32 AM
Organizational Power, Politics, and Persuasion
Organizational Power,.ppt (Size: 405 KB / Downloads: 116)
Jane Buckley: Golf Networker
Networking with clients on the golf course helps Jane Buckley maintain her power at Compass Group. “Women aren't in on all the informal networks yet,” warns one consultant. “A lot goes on on the golf course, but a lot of women still aren't there.”
The Meaning of Power
Power is the capacity of a person, team, or organization to influence others.
The potential to influence others
People have power they don’t use and may not know they possess
Power requires one person’s perception of dependence on another person
The Limits of Legitimate Power
The Caine Mutiny illustrates the limits of legitimate power in organizations. Captain Queeg (Humphrey Bogart, seated left) asked his crew to do more than they were willing to follow, so they staged a mutiny.
Information and Power
Control over information flow
Based on legitimate power
Relates to formal communication network
Common in centralized structures (wheel pattern)
Coping with uncertainty
Those who know how to cope with organizational uncertainties gain power
Prevention
Forecasting
Absorption
Sexual Harassment and Power
Harasser stereotypes the victim as subservient and powerless
Harasser threatens job security or safety through coercive or legitimate power
Hostile work environment harassment continues when the victim lacks power to stop the behavior
Office Romance and Power
Co-workers believe that employees in relationships abuse their power to favor each other.
Higher risk of sexual harassment when relationship breaks off.
Organizational Politics
Attempts to influence others using discretionary behaviors to promote personal objectives
Discretionary behaviors -- neither explicitly prescribed nor prohibited
Politics may be good or bad for the organization