Power and Politics in Management

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37 Questions

What is the primary purpose of using the REASON tactic in influencing others?

To make a logical or rational presentation of ideas

Coalitions are formal groups bound together by the active pursuit of a single issue.

False

What is the purpose of using the COALITION tactic?

To get the support of other people in the organization to back up the request

The ASSERTIVENESS tactic involves using a direct and forceful approach such as _______________ compliance with the request.

demanding

What is the primary purpose of using the HIGHER AUTHORITY tactic?

To gain the support of higher levels in the organization

Match the following power tactics with their descriptions:

REASON = Use of facts and data to make a logical or rational presentation of ideas FRIENDLINESS = Use of flattery, the creation of goodwill, acting humble and being friendly prior to make a request COALITION = Getting the support of other people in the organization to back up the request

The SANCTIONS tactic involves using direct and forceful approach such as demanding compliance with the request.

False

What is the primary purpose of using the BARGAINING tactic?

To use negotiation through the exchange of benefits or favours

What percentage of a first impression is based on appearance and body language?

55%

Communication is only about sending information, not receiving it.

False

What is the main goal of strategic conversations in an organization?

to discuss long-term goals, plans, and initiatives

Communication is the process of sending and receiving ______________ with meanings attached.

symbols

What is the primary responsibility of a manager in an organization?

Ensuring smooth information flow

The tone, pitch, and pace of your voice do not affect your first impression.

False

What should communication always have?

a clear purpose or goal

Match the following definitions with their corresponding communication concepts:

exchanged and understood by two or more people = Communication assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding = Communication imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information = Communication influence or motivate behaviour = Communication

What is power according to the definition?

The ability to influence the behavior of others to get what you want.

Formal power is based on an individual's personal characteristics.

False

What are the two general groups of power bases?

Formal and Personal.

Coercive power base depends on fear of the ______ results from failing to comply.

negative

Match the following bases of power with their descriptions:

Coercive Power = The ability to force others to do what you want Formal Power = Based on an individual's position in an organization Reward Power = Control of information

What is the main objective of the session according to the session objectives?

All of the above

Power is the ability to influence the behavior of others to get what you want.

True

Power refers to a capacity that A has to influence the behavior of ______.

B

Which type of power is negatively related to employee satisfaction and commitment?

Coercive power

A person can have power over you if they control something you don't desire.

False

What are the three factors that create dependency?

Important, Scarce, and Non-substitutable

The greater B's dependence on A, the greater is A's ______________________ in the relationship.

power

Match the following power outcomes with their corresponding relationships:

Expert power = Positive relationship with employee satisfaction and commitment Coercive power = Negative relationship with employee satisfaction and commitment Reward power = No relation to employee satisfaction and commitment Legitimate power = No relation to employee satisfaction and commitment

Dependency is decreased when the resources you control are scarce.

False

What is the outcome of recent research on power tactics?

Identification of 14 categories of power tactics

Recent research on power tactics involved asking ______________________ managers to write essays describing an incident in which they influenced their bosses, co-workers, or employees.

165

What type of communication involves speaking to a large audience, like giving a presentation or a speech?

Public Speaking

As a director of internal communication, you would use upward communication to convince top management of the need for a company newsletter.

False

What is the primary goal of internal communication in the scenario where a personnel manager wants to announce details about the company picnic?

To inform employees about the company picnic

As a production manager, you would use _______________ communication to ensure that both the sales manager and the finance manager receive your scheduling estimates.

horizontal

Match the following scenarios with the appropriate type of communication:

Announcing company picnic details = Downward Convincing top management of the need for a company newsletter = Upward Sharing scheduling estimates with sales and finance managers = Horizontal

Study Notes

Session Objectives

  • To make participants aware of basic principles of power and politics
  • To share practical scenarios related to power and politics
  • To understand verbal and non-verbal communication in an organization

Definition of Power

  • Power refers to the capacity to influence the behavior of others
  • Power is the ability to influence the behavior of others to get what you want
  • Power is the ability to get things done the way one wants them to be done

Bases of Power

  • Formal power: based on an individual's position in an organization
    • Can come from the ability to coerce, reward, or control information
  • Personal power: based on an individual's characteristics
    • Includes expert power, referent power, and legitimate power

Coercive Power

  • Depends on fear of negative results from failing to comply
  • Can backfire, leading to decreased employee satisfaction and commitment

Dependency

  • Power is a function of dependency
  • The greater B's dependence on A, the greater is A's power in the relationship
  • Dependency is increased when the resources controlled are important, scarce, and non-substitutable

Power Tactics

  • 7 tactical dimensions or strategies:
    • Reason: using facts and data to make a logical presentation
    • Friendliness: using flattery and creating goodwill
    • Coalition: getting support from others in the organization
    • Bargaining: using negotiation through exchange of benefits or favors
    • Assertiveness: using a direct and forceful approach
    • Higher authority: gaining support from higher levels in the organization
    • Sanctions: using organizationally-derived rewards and punishments

Power in Groups: Coalitions

  • Coalition is an informal group bound together by the active pursuit of a single issue
  • Coalitions seek to maximize their size by "strengthening" in numbers

Communication

  • Communication is the process of sending and receiving symbols with meanings attached
  • Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding
  • Communication is imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs

Manager's Job

  • Communication is the manager's job
  • Managers are responsible for making sure that information flows smoothly within the organization
  • Communication should have a clear purpose or goal
  • Strategic conversations are used to discuss long-term goals, plans, and initiatives

Types of Communication

  • Interpersonal Communication: communication between two people
  • Small Group Communication: communication between a small number of people
  • Public Speaking: speaking to a large audience, like giving a presentation or a speech

Internal Communication

  • Planning the flow of communication is crucial
  • Identify the necessary direction of communication (downward, upward, horizontal) and suggest an appropriate type of communication (e.g. casual conversation, formal interview, meeting, workshop, video tape, newsletter, memo, bulletin board notice, etc.)
  • Internal communication can include announcements, newsletters, and other forms of communication within an organization

This quiz covers the fundamental principles of power and politics in management, with practical scenarios and real-world applications. It aims to raise awareness of power dynamics and political behaviors in organizational settings. Suitable for management students and professionals.

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