Some think that power and influence is inherently a bad thing in an organization

Question

Some think that power and influence is inherently a bad thing in an organization. In reality, we have power and influence over many things from our children to coworkers and people who work for us whether we knowingly apply that power and influence or not. Used tactfully, power and influence can alter the behavior of an organization in a positive way. After reading chapter 8 and reviewing the two case studies, describe a situation that you have experienced where change did or did not occur because of your efforts. Make sure you incorporate the type of power you had to recommend the change. What type of influence tactics did you use and after reflection what other influence tactics could you have used? What did you learn from the situation about yourself and the organization? Note, if you have not been in this position before, describe a situation that you have been a part of based on the criteria outlined above.

Explanation / Answer

As per my concern, the power and influence are the most important thing in an organization. If you have not the power to influence everyone by your work/words then you are just nothing.No one wants to hear anything from you. No one will care for you.

But yes, not every time you have to use power. As you can change anything by your good behavior also.

If you want to compare then the influence is the better strategy than good behavior.

Now I am answering the questions and describing the situation below.

1. describe a situation that you have experienced where change did or did not occur because of your efforts.

Ans. - As a business manager in my organization, I have to manage my junior sales team. Sometimes they will not work harder to bring new projects. I have tried many times to tell them to work properly by good and polite behavior. But it is not working.

Then I use an influence tactic to encourage them and it is working.

2. What type of influence tactics did you use and after reflection what other influence tactics could you have used?

Ans. - I have used two influence tactics.

First one - I told them that I will give their salary hike after six months. (Normally it happens after one year)

The second one - I told them that they will get more incentive if they give me more projects.

I can't believe that these two tactics have influenced them very fastly. They have worked harder than my expectation. I get more projects which means more profit for my organization.

After that, I gave them their incentives on time. This is my another tactic after the reflection.

All tactics have been worked properly.

3. What did you learn from the situation about yourself and the organization?

Ans. - I have learned from this situation that use of power is more workable than good behavior. I have used my management power to influence juniors.

For myself, I understand that I have the power to handle any conditions and the organization has taken the right decision to give me a manager post.

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