Power and Politics
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Written by Shiyan Boxer
Influencing others to act in order to achieve your goals is exercising power. It is generally easy for employees to determine who has power with a great deal of consensus. Effective leaders possess expert skills, knowledge, expertise and resources required to solve significant problems facing individual workers, teams, and organizations at large. Consequential problems increase employees’ dependency on leadership increasing their power and influence.
Legitimate power is exercised when subordinates accept and comply with the designated authority like a boss or the police. The ability to reward or punish others influences behaviour such that the greater the prize or threat the greater the influence. Experts and those with access to critical information garner power as others rely on them for safety and success. The doctor-patient relationship provides an excellent example. Charisma, the ability to inspire others, should never be underestimated as a means of accumulating power and influence.
Downward influence is most powerful when superiors articulate a clear vision, motivating subordinates through trusting relationships. Employees exert upward influence through innovative problem solving that supports management in fulfilling strategic goals. Peers influence one another through rational, well-developed arguments. Whatever the direction of influence, people gain recognition and power when others are motivated to follow their lead.
Friendly competition amongst team members can be motivating however unhealthy organizational politics resulting from competing interests and a scarcity of resources can lead to destructive behaviours including infighting, backstabbing, stress, absenteeism, and decreased productivity. Effective leaders must have the people and management skills required to guide employees towards company objectives and maintain a positive work environment.
While the accumulation of power can be positive in motivating workers to support common goals, subordinates’ readiness to conform can lead to an abuse of authority and unethical, immoral behaviour from leaders and followers alike.
