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Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
In my opinion, the one concept I find most interesting is the “Power to Influence.” I have worked in the corporate world for the past 11 years as well as for a Vice-President. During which time I have seen mostly men play the game of “Power to Influence” their bosses. By this I mean, they are constantly asking me to schedule a meeting with the VP. My response to them is I will check with the VP and schedule a meeting accordingly. If the VP allows me to schedule a meeting with them, I have seen these men come in to the VP’s office and simply just brag about all their accomplishments and try to get the VP’s buy-in for what they would like to move forward in their career development.
According to John French and Bertram Raven analysis, “Sources can achieve power in five ways: by occupying an important position in society, by offering material rewards in exchange for compliance, by threatening to punish disobedience, by gaining access to scarce information, and by exhibiting personal characteristics that others admire” (pg. 261). In my example, these gentlemen gained power by gaining access to scarce information which they exposed to the VP, thinking what they shared were valuable information.
I really like your post this week because it is something that I am really interested in – the business world. One thing I couldn’t help noticing though was the negative overtone of your point. I know that sometimes the power to influence can be a unconstructive way to accomplish things at the workplace, but do you also think that it could be a good thing? I was just thinking about the five ways to achieve power, and I think that some of them are actually highly valued by my company. For example, “exhibiting personal characteristics that others admire.” My company seeks out the funny, outgoing, witty type of person for our sales force because those are the people that others (customers) like to have around. I could definitely see how really showcasing these personality traits for superiors could get a person high in a company like mine, so I think that some good came come of the power to influence.
ReplyDeleteThis post is a great example how people can hurt themselves in trying to gain influence. Sometimes people can come off as braggin in trying to establish creditbility. It is a fine line in trying to sell yourself to others. Nice example
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Nicciri and Chip9.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with Nicciri, but I can see why business world can be that way, it's a struggle for power and people wanting to move ahead with whatever means. There is other ways other than holding valuable information against others or just so you can keep the high position but like Nicciri said you can also be willing to hire fun and outgoing people who are passionate about their job and can handle working with others whether they are more superior or not.
ReplyDeleteHi msesterkim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Yes,we do try to hire fun and out going people, however, there a few that have to spoil it for the rest of the group, by being out for themselves and their career.