The term power refers to the capacity or ability to influence
the behavior of others to get the desire result (output).
Bases of power(Sources of Power)
Positional Power: Positional power also known as formal power,
emerges from the position held by individual in an organization.
Legitimate power: It is derived from the position a person hold in an
organization, e.g. managing director, C.E.O, general manager etc. By
holding that power one is able to influence the behavior of others.
Reward power : It is based on influencer’s ability to
Control the allocation of resources and rewards.
Control the Salaries, wages, commissions etc.
Coercive power: It is based on influencer’s ability to punish the
employees for not carrying out orders. It also includes
Power of application of physical sanctions.
Restriction on movement, controlling satisfaction of basic need like, food,
comfort etc, suspension, dismissal
Information power: comes from the access to Information needed by
others. The person who have sensitive information, can use this
information to influence the behavior of others.
Politics
Those activities in the organization that are not required as
part of one’s formal role in the organization, but, it attempts
to influence the distribution of advantages & disadvantages
within the organization.
It is a way people gain and use power in an organization.
Some political activities are:
Withholding information from decision makers
Spreading rumours
Leaking confidential information
Making alliances
Whistle blowing
2. Power
The term power refers to the capacity or ability to influence
the behavior of others to get the desire result (output).
According to Galbraith John K., “The term power may be
defined as the capacity to influence others. If a person has
power, it means that he is able to influence the behavior of
other individuals.”
3. Bases of power(Sources of Power)
Positional Power: Positional power also known as formal power,
emerges from the position held by individual in an organization.
Legitimate power: It is derived from the position a person hold in an
organization, e.g. managing director, C.E.O, general manager etc. By
holding that power one is able to influence the behavior of others.
Reward power : It is based on influencer’s ability to
Control the allocation of resources and rewards.
Control the Salaries, wages, commissions etc.
Coercive power: It is based on influencer’s ability to punish the
employees for not carrying out orders. It also includes
Power of application of physical sanctions.
Restriction on movement, controlling satisfaction of basic need like, food,
comfort etc, suspension, dismissal
Information power: comes from the access to Information needed by
others.The person who have sensitive information, can use this
information to influence the behavior of others.
4. Bases of power(Sources of Power)
Bases of Power
Positional Power
Legitimate Power
Reward Power
Coercive Power
Information Power
Personal Power
Expert Power
Referent Power
Charismatic Power
5. Cont’d…
Personal power(Certain unique qualities of a person attract
followers.)
Expert Power
It is said that “Knowledge is Power”
Influencer has some specific knowledge that others do not have.
More knowledgeable person are not replaceable will have more power.
Referent power
It is based on identification.
Identification is the process in which one person copies the behavior of other
person.
In this target get attracted and try to copy the person who may have some
form of power.
Charismatic power
Charisma- a unique quality
Popular in political, business and sports field.
6. Tactics to gain power
Bargaining(more bargaining power-more benefits)
Friendliness(make friends to get more power)
Coalition(alliance of 2 or more people)
Cooptation(giving important positions to people of other
groups)
Reason(analyse facts & data to take logical decision)
Assertiveness (forcefully ask to follow direction)
Higher authority(get support from higher authority)
Sanctions(rewards & punishments)
Pressure(put pressure to make others accept your terms)
7. Importance of power
Necessary for coordinated activities
Absence can create chaos.
Chaos reduces the synergistic effects.
Basis for authority and responsibility
Help in executing them effectively.
8. Politics
Those activities in the organization that are not required as
part of one’s formal role in the organization, but, it attempts
to influence the distribution of advantages & disadvantages
within the organization.
It is a way people gain and use power in an organization.
Some political activities are:
Withholding information from decision makers
Spreading rumours
Leaking confidential information
Making alliances
Whistle blowing
9. Features
Involves use of power, authority and pressure(rewards &
punishment)
Self serving in nature(use of organizational resources for
personal benefits)
Not within formal job requirements
Political decisions may not be rational
10. Functions
To overcome employees inadequacies
To cope with change in environment & technology
To manage contacts in the large organizations
To substitute for formal authority
To appoint strong members of the organization into
leadership roles.
Helps in implementation of decision
11. Drawbacks
Self interest
Other employees may suffer(demotivation, wastage of time)
Increases conflicts
It may helps in growth but decreases performance & weakens
relationships.
Unequal distribution of power.
12. Causes of politics
Competition to get more power
Discretionary authority(eg: production dept. is given power
appoint its staff without asking HR dept.)
Ambiguity in organizations(confusion in terms of roles &
authority)
Subjective evaluation of performance.
Saturation in promotion
Joint decision making(gives rise to coalitions formed for self
interests)
13. Management of organizational politics
Clarity of roles, job, rules, procedures & authority
Top management should discourage dysfunctional politics
Direct actions to be taken by top management against people
involved in dysfunctional politics
Rewards should be given to deserving people, who fulfill
their objectives. Similar, for punishments also.
