Power and Influence in Organizations
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Power and Influence in Organizations

Created by
@SereneLorentz

Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of upward influence?

  • To appeal to higher authority for support (correct)
  • To create an alliance with co-workers
  • To manipulate peers into compliance
  • To enhance personal image
  • Which influence tactic primarily focuses on shaping a public image?

  • Assertiveness
  • Negotiation
  • Self-presentation (correct)
  • Coalition formation
  • What is the primary reason emotional labor can be taxing for individuals?

  • It enhances the ability to connect with others.
  • It involves managing and suppressing genuine feelings. (correct)
  • It allows for a greater understanding of oneself.
  • It requires showing emotions that are innate and effortless.
  • What tactic is characterized by reminding someone of past benefits in exchange for compliance?

    <p>Exchange</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of influence tactic is considered a hard influence tactic?

    <p>Silent authority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT typically associated with an employee's negative reaction to feedback?

    <p>A strong self-efficacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes emotional contagion in a workplace setting?

    <p>Sharing productive emotions among team members.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common consequence of using organizational politics?

    <p>Potential negative impacts on relationships and morale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary source of power in organizations?

    <p>The authority granted through job titles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a method to minimize organizational politics?

    <p>Provide sufficient resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does emotional intelligence assist individuals in the workplace?

    <p>It enables effective management of both personal and others' emotions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does soft influence tactics typically emphasize?

    <p>Emotional appeals and personal connections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a situation that might lead to an employee's lack of motivation?

    <p>Personal situations affecting their ability to focus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is a misconception about emotions in the workplace?

    <p>Emotions should always be suppressed for professionalism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What typically increases with a sense of empowerment?

    <p>Job performance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is NOT commonly associated with people who feel too powerful?

    <p>Increased empathy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is social capital mainly characterized by?

    <p>Knowledge shared across social networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes 'influence' in an organizational context?

    <p>Altering someone's attitudes or behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tactic involves using one's legitimate power subtly?

    <p>Authority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does information control involve?

    <p>Withholding or filtering information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a benefit of social networks?

    <p>Providing expert information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential negative effect of having power?

    <p>Reduced sense of responsibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one purpose of forming coalitions in organizations?

    <p>To gain more power collectively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the concept of dependency in the power relationship?

    <p>Person B relies on Person A for achieving their goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a source of power in organizations?

    <p>Economic power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does substitutability impact the influence of a powerholder?

    <p>It decreases the powerholder's influence when alternatives are available.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which source of power is derived from the ability to influence through punishment?

    <p>Coercive power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the 'zone of indifference' in power dynamics?

    <p>The range of behaviors that a powerholder can request without resistance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly relates to deference to power?

    <p>It is often related to charismatic individuals and expert authority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does centrality play in the context of organizational power?

    <p>It determines how many people can be influenced by a powerholder.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Power and Influence in Organizations

    • Power is the capacity to influence others' ideas, plans, and outcomes.
    • Dependence in power relationships involves one person’s reliance on another for achieving goals.
    • Person A is perceived as holding power if they control resources that Person B needs.

    Sources of Power

    • Legitimate Power: Authority derived from a formal position; influences behavior through established roles.
    • Reward Power: The ability to distribute incentives; involves controlling rewards or removing penalties.
    • Coercive Power: The capacity to enforce compliance through penalties or punishment.
    • Expert Power: Influence comes from possessing specialized knowledge or skills.
    • Referent Power: Derives from personal attributes or charisma that encourage identification and admiration.

    Contingencies of Power

    • Substitutability: The extent to which alternatives are available; influences the power a person can exert.
    • Centrality: Reflects how many people one can influence; higher centrality increases power.
    • Discretion: Freedom to exercise personal judgment without strict guidelines enhances power.
    • Visibility: A person's role being recognized as valuable can enhance their influence within an organization.

    Types of Influence Tactics

    • Upward Appeal: Involves seeking support from higher authority or aligning with organizational goals.
    • Persuasion: Using logic, facts, or emotional appeals to convince others.
    • Impression Management: Actively shaping one’s image to influence others' perceptions.
    • Exchange Tactic: Leveraging past benefits to gain compliance or support; includes networking and negotiation.
    • Silent Authority: Influence derived from a power holder's mere presence or requests without explicit verbal communication.
    • Assertiveness: Actively applying power to confront or remind individuals of compliance expectations.

    Consequences of Influence

    • Hard Influence Tactics: Include assertiveness and silent authority; often lead to compliance but may breed resistance.
    • Soft Influence Tactics: Use persuasion and impression management to achieve commitment from others.

    Organizational Politics

    • Defined as using influence tactics for personal gain, often at the expense of others or the organization.
    • Linked to behavioral traits associated with the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy).
    • Can arise from competition for scarce resources or opportunities.

    Strategies to Minimize Organizational Politics

    • Ensure adequate resource availability.
    • Clarify organizational rules and processes for resource allocation.
    • Manage organizational change effectively.
    • Discourage or penalize overtly political behaviors.

    Consequences of Power Dynamics

    • Empowerment can enhance motivation, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and performance.
    • Individuals in powerful positions may struggle with empathy, rely on stereotypes, and misperceive themselves and others.

    Role of Social Networks

    • Social networks provide access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities, enhancing position power.
    • Social Capital: Refers to benefits acquired through relationships, driven by mutual support and trust.
    • Networks can exhibit both formal (based on interdependence) and informal (based on shared interests) characteristics.

    Importance of Influencing Others

    • Influence is pivotal in organizations, as it pertains to shifting attitudes and behaviors.
    • Everyone engages in some form of influence, making it a vital leadership quality.

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    Description

    Explore the various types of power and influence in organizational settings. This quiz covers legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, and referent power, as well as the contingencies that affect power dynamics. Test your understanding of how these elements play a crucial role in workplace relationships.

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