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Lesson 9

The document defines three types of power: power-over which refers to control or dominance, power-from-within which is a personal sense of strength or agency, and power-with which is the power to suggest and be listened to in a group of equals. It also outlines several bases of power in groups including referent power from admiration, expert power from knowledge, legitimate power from authority, reward power from controlling rewards, and coercive power from administering punishment. Finally, it provides suggestions for the ethical use of these different powers in organizations.

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Nguyệt Minh Phạm
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21 views

Lesson 9

The document defines three types of power: power-over which refers to control or dominance, power-from-within which is a personal sense of strength or agency, and power-with which is the power to suggest and be listened to in a group of equals. It also outlines several bases of power in groups including referent power from admiration, expert power from knowledge, legitimate power from authority, reward power from controlling rewards, and coercive power from administering punishment. Finally, it provides suggestions for the ethical use of these different powers in organizations.

Uploaded by

Nguyệt Minh Phạm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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If you associate power with control or

dominance, this refers to the notion of


power as power-over.

Power-Over
refers to a more personal sense of strength or agency. Power-
from-within manifests itself when we can stand, walk, and
Defining Power Power-from-Within speak “words that convey our needs and thoughts”

The power of a strong individual in a group of equals, the


Power-With power not to command, but to suggest and be listened to, to
begin something and see it happen

Referent Power Person B looks up to or admires person A, and, as a result, B follows A


largely because of A’s personal qualities, characteristics, or reputation. Person
A can use referent power to influence B.
BASES OF POWER
IN GROUPS
Expert Power
s demonstrated when person A gains power because A has knowledge or
expertise relevant to B.
Power in
Teams and exists when person B submits to person A because B feels that A has a right
Groups Legitimate Power to exert power in a certain domain (Tjosvold, 1985). Legitimate power is
really another name for authority.

is based primarily on fear. Here, person A has power over person B because A
Coercive Power
can administer some form of punishment to B. Thus, this kind of power is
also referred to as punishment power.

Reward Power exists when person A has power over person B because A controls rewards
that B wants.

-Controlling Access to Information


-Controlling Access to Person
Uses of Power: -Selective Use of Objective Criteria
Common Power -Controlling the Agenda
Tactics in -Bureaucratic Gamesmanship
Organizations -Using Outside Experts
-Coalitions and Alliances

Treat subordinates fairly


Defend subordinates’ interests
Referent power Be sensitive to subordinates’ needs, feelings
Select subordinates similar to oneself
Engage in role modeling

Promote the image of expertise


Maintain credibility
Act confident and decisive
Uses of Power: Expert power Keep informed
Ethical Use of Power Recognize employee concerns
Avoid threatening subordinates’ self-esteem

Be cordial and polite


Be confident
Be clear and follow up to verify understanding
Legitimate power Make sure request is appropriate
Explain reasons for request
Follow proper channels
Exercise power regularly
Enforce compliance
Be sensitive to subordinates’ concerns

Verify compliance
Make feasible, reasonable requests
Reward power Make only ethical, proper requests
Offer rewards desired by subordinates
Offer only credible rewards

Inform subordinates of rules and penalties


Warn before punishing
Administer punishment consistently and uniformly
Coercive power Understand the situation before acting
Maintain credibility
Fit punishment to the infraction
Punish in private

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