Working Environment and Power Term Paper

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Power and influence are important concepts in leadership and management because they are intertwined. In essence, it's impossible for a leader to influence his/her followers without power, which is crucial in getting things done and accomplishing specified goals. The close link between these two concepts is also evident in the fact that power can be defined as the capability to influence others (Lunenburg, p.1). As a result, the effective use of power is an important component in leadership, especially with regards to management. Leaders have significant influence over others when they develop a strong power base in their respective area such as organizations, institutions, and the political arena. The ability of a leader to influence his followers or employees to accomplish certain goals and tasks is dependent on the strength of his power base. Without power (which is the capability to influence people), leaders are unable to persuade their followers to accomplish desired goals and tasks.

In light of these factors, power and influence are inseparable in the context of leadership and management. When a leader exercises inadequate power or lack power, he/she becomes ineffective because of failure to influence his/her followers towards achieving desired objectives. On the contrary, when a leader exercises sufficient power, he/she empowers his/her followers to accomplish tasks because sufficient power contributes to empowerment of followers. However, excessive use of power by a leader is also ineffective because it demoralizes people to an extent that it is considered as abuse of power (Whetten & Cameron, p.286).

Even though power is the pre-requisite for influence, not every powerful individual has influence since influence requires obtaining approval of others in order to achieve an objective. There are three major strategies that a leader can utilize to influence others towards certain goals i.e. retribution, reason, and reciprocity. Reason and reciprocity are the most effective strategies since they entail presenting persuasive facts or needs and bargaining respectively. On the contrary, retribution is not the most effective strategy because it entails intimidation and coercion which threaten or exerts pressure on people (Whetten & Cameron, p.298). The effectiveness of reason and reciprocity in influencing others demonstrate the significance of communication in appealing to individual values or ingratiation when exercising leadership.

Power is the pre-requisite for influence but it's highly unlikely for a leader to have influence over others without good supportive communication skills. Good communication skills confer influence on a person by providing a suitable platform and approach to bargaining, ingratiation, presentation of facts/needs, and appeal to individual values.

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The basis through which someone transforms power into influence is good supportive communication skills. Good communication skills helps transform power into influence through ensuring the selection of an appropriate strategy to influence others. Moreover, such skills help enhance authority through upward influence and to provide assertive feedback to unsuitable influence efforts by others (Whetten & Cameron, p.307).

Since power does not automatically translate into influence over others, it's possible for an individual to have formal power without influence. Actually, a person with formal power can be ineffective because of poor communication skills. Formal power is utilized effectively when it's transformed into influence using centrality, relevance, visibility, and flexibility. These measures require good communication skills which help in creating strong relationships and networks. Strong interpersonal relationships and networks are brought by good communication skills and help in enhancing the effectiveness of formal power.

The significance of good communication skills in transforming power into influence is evidenced in their role in building relationships. Through good communication skills, an individual communicates supportively and creates strong relationships, which in turn help in influencing others using personal and positional power. Research findings have indicated that strong interpersonal relationships are crucial in building positive energy and motivation in the lives of people (Whetten & Cameron, p.238). Positive relationships, which are brought by good communication skills, have proven beneficial in helping individuals carry out activities and even learn more effectively. When an individual with formal power utilizes good communication skills, he/she confers influence over others by generating significant emotional, social, psychological, and intellectual consequences. Moreover, good communication skills help create a suitable environment based on supportive communication, which is necessary for effective use of power to influence others.

McGuffey's Restaurant Case Study

McGuffey's Restaurant, which was founded by Keith Dunn after years of frustration as an employee at big restaurant chains, is experiencing tremendous challenges that have affected its productivity. While Dunn sought to build an organizational climate where employees feel appreciated, valued and engaged, recent employee survey indicates otherwise. Similar to a number of employees, some of the company's managers have started losing faith in Keith Dunn to an extent that some have resigned and are….....

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