POWER

Importance of Power for Managers

Importance of Power for Managers

Introduction

Power is an inevitable ability that is found in each organization. This paper highlights about the use of power in an organization by the managers. It also draws attention towards different forms of power that a manager can use in different circumstances and against different nature of employees. Various theories have also been mentioned in the paper, which includes power theory of French and Raven, and theoretical model of organizational control of Amitai Etzioni. Furthermore, it also discusses the existence of politics within the organization, and how managers use their power to influence organizational politics (Bialas & Gdyni, 2009). Finally, it highlights how managers need to utilize their power and authority in an efficient manner that benefits the organization as a whole.

Power

The term Power refers to the ability that one possesses in order to influence others. A person having power influences the other people to get the work done which is assigned to him. This is a process which allows the individual having the power to be able to impact the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of others. This process is generally known as influence. Authority is the term used for the person having the power to use its influential ability over the others. However, there is a minor difference between both the terms; influence and authority (Clegg, Courpasson, & Phillips, 2006). Authority is generally the right of the individual to utilize its power, whereas influence is not the right, it is just used to get the work done.

Power is very much a common phenomena in the corporate world. Businesses are use to have a person having the authoritative position while using his or her power to control the employees of the organization. Both the concepts of managing and power are interrelated with each other. It may not be important for a person having the power to be a manager at the same time, but it is very important for managers to able to have power so as to run the business more efficiently.

Forms of Power in an Organization

Power can be used by managers in several forms. It depends on the condition and circumstances of the business which let decide which most appropriate way of utilizing the power is. Furthermore, the environment and culture of each business and industry defers from the other, which also differentiate the use of power in each of those organizations. There are four major sources of power which can be used by a manager to influence others.

Interpersonal form of Power

A manager having a power relationship with its subordinates is known as interpersonal form of power. Managers use this form of power to have a control over the behaviors and attitudes of the employees (Raven, 2004). John French and Bertram Raven, the two most prominent authors in the field of sociology classified power into five different forms, which are coercive, reward, expert, referent, and legitimate power.

Coercive Power

Coercive power is used when there exists a need of forcing someone to perform ...