Influence based on possession by an individual of desirable resources or personal traits.

Power has been described as the last dirty word, its is easier for  most of us to talk about money than it is to talk about power,people who have it deny it, people who want it try not to appear to be seeking it, and those who are good at getting it are secretive about how they got it,

Power is a natural process, in any group or organization, As such, you need to know how its acquired and exercised if you are going to fully understand organizational behavior, Al though you may have heard the phrase that " Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" , power is not always bad, As Most medicines can kill if  taken in the wrong amount and thousands die each year in automobile accidents, but we don't abandon chemicals or cars because of the dangers associated with  them, Rather . we consider danger an incentive to get training and information that will help us to use these forces productively.the same applies to the power, its reality of organizational life and its going to go away. moreover by learning  how power works in organizations  you'll be better able to use your knowledge to help you be more effective Manager,

Power refers to  a capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B, so that B acts in accordance with A wishes. this implies a Potential that need not to be actualized to be effective and a dependency relationship.power may exist but not be used.It is , therefore , a capacity or potential one can have power but not impose it.

Probably the most important aspect of power is that it is a function of dependency, the greater the B's dependence on A . the greater is A's power in the relationship. Dependence in turn, is based on alternatives that B perceives and the importance that B places on the Alternatives that A controls,  A person can power over you only if  he or she control something you desire.

Contrasting Leadership and Power 

Leaders use power as a means of attaining group goal, leader achieve goals, and power is a means of facilitating  their Achievement. what differences are there between the two terms? one Difference relate to goal compatibility.power does not require goal compatibility, merely dependence. Leadership on the other hand require some congruence between the goals of the leader and those being led.A second difference relates to the direction of influence, leadership. focuses on the downward influence on once's followers.It minimizes  the importance of lateral and upward influence patterns. power does not, Still another difference, leadership seeks answers to questions such as, how supportive leader should be, how much decision making should be shared with followers,In contrast power focus on tactics for gaining compliance.I has gone beyond the individual as exerciser because power can be used by  groups as well as by  the individuals to control other individuals or group.

Bases of Power

Formal power: formal power is based on an individual's position in an organization, formal power can come from the ability to coerce or reward from formal authority or from control of information.

1. Coercive Power: A power base dependent on fear
2. Reward Power: Compliance achieved based on the ability to distribute rewards that others view as valuable.
3. Legitimate Power: The Power a person receive as a result of his or her position in the formal hierarchy of an organization.
4. Information Power: Power that comes from access to and control over information.

Personal Power:Power that comes from an individual's  unique characteristics.

1. Expert Power: Influence based on special skill or knowledge,
2. Referent Power: Influence based on possession by an individual of desirable resources or personal traits.
3. Charismatic power: An extension of referent power stemming from an individual's personality and interpersonal style.

Dependency: the Key To Power 

Dependency  is increased when the resource you control is important, scarce and   non substitutable.

Power Tactics: ways in which individuals translate power bases into specific actions.

1. Legitimacy: Relying on one's authority position or stressing that a request is in accordance with organizational policies or rules.
2. Rational persuasion: Presenting logical arguments and factual evidence to demonstrate that a request is reasonable.
3. Inspirational Appeal: Developing emotional commitment by appealing to a target's values , needs, hopes. and aspirations.
4. Consultation: Increasing  the Target's motivation and support by involving him or her in deciding how the plan or change will be done,
5. Exchange: Rewarding  the target with benefits or favors in exchange for following a request.
6. Personal Appeals: Asking  for compliance based on friendship or loyalty.

7. Ingratiation:Using flattery, praise or friendly behavior prior to making a request.

8. Pressure: Using warnings, repeated demands and threats.
9. Coalitions: Enlisting the aid of other people to persuade the target or using the support of others as a reason for the target to agree.

Politics : Power in Action

When people  get together in group, power will be exerted, people want to carve out a niche from which to exert influence, to earn rewards and to advance their careers. when employees in organization convert their power into action, we describe them as being engaged in politics. those with good political skills have the ability to use their bases of power effectively.

Political behavior: Activities that are not required as part of one's formal role in the organization, but that influence, or attempt to influence ,the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization

Legitimate Political Behavior: Normal everyday politics.

Illegitimate Political Behavior:Extreme political behavior that violates the implied rules of the game.

The reality of Politics

Politics is a fact of life in organizations, people who ignore this fact of life do so at their own peril,but why , you may wonder, must politics exist. isn't it possible for an organization to be politics free? its possible but most unlikely.

Organizations are made up of individuals and groups with different values, goals,and interests. this sets up the potential for conflict over resources . departmental budgets , space allocations,project responsibilities, and salary adjustments are just a few examples of the resources about whose allocation organizational member  will disagree.

Resources in organizations are also limited which often turns potential conflict in to real conflict. if resources were abundant. the all the various constituencies within the organization could satisfy their goals. but because they are limited, not everyone's interests can be provided for. further more whether true or not gains by one individual or group often  perceived as being at the expense for others within the organization these forces create a competition among members for the organizations limited resources.

Organization can be politics free if all the members of that organization hold the same goals and interests. if organizational resources are not scarce, and if performance outcomes are completely clear and objective. but that densest describe the organizational world that most of us live in.

 Impression Management: We know that  people have an ongoing interest is how others perceive and evaluate them, The process by which individuals attempt to control the impression others form of them called Impression Management.

Impression Management Technique

1. Conformity: Agreeing with someone else's opinion in order to gain his or her approval,                                                                                                  Example A manager tells his boss, " you're absolutely right on your reorganization plan for the western regional office. I couldn't agree with you more"
2. Excuses: Explanations of a predicament-creating event aimed at minimizing the apparent severity of the predicament.                                  Example:Sales manager to boss, " we failed to get the ad in the paper on time, but no one responds to those ads anyway"
3. Apologies: Admitting responsibility for an undesirable event and simultaneously seeking to get a pardon for the action.                      Example: Employee to boss, " I'm sorry i made a mistake on the report, please forgive me"
4. Self Promotion: Highlighting one's best qualities, downplaying one's deficits and calling attention to one's achievements .                           Example " A sales person tells his boss, " Matt worked unsuccessfully for three years to try to get that account , I sewed it up in six weeks, I'm the best closer this company has"
5. Flattery: Complimenting others about their virtues in an effort to make oneself appear perceptive and likable.                                                    Example: New sales trainee to peer " you handled that client's complaint so tactfully i could never have handled that as well as you did"
6. Favors: Doing something nice for someone to gain that person's approval. Example: Sales person to perspective client, " I've got two tickets to the theater tonight that i can't use .take them consider it a thank you for taking the time to talk with me"
7. Association: Enhancing or protecting one's image by managing information about people and things with which one is associated.   Example " A job applicant says to an interviewer. " what a coincidence, your boss and I were roommates in college:

The Ethics of Behaving Politically

There are no clear cut ways to differentiate ethical from unethical politicking , there are some question you should consider. Ethical decision criteria based on utilitarianism, rights and justice,  Ethical actions are consistent with the organization's goal.spreading untrue rumors about the safety of a new product introduced by your company in order to make the product's design team look bad in unethical.

Which of the following refers to the influence based on possession by an individual of desirable resources personal traits?

Who has desirable resources or personal traits?