A520.9.5.RB - Power

Chapter 5 of your text defines power as the "potential to influence behavior" (Whetton and Cameron, 2011, p. 286). Given this definition, develop your Blog entry using the following questions as your guide:
Are you comfortable developing sources of personal influence to gain power?
Do you embody the characteristics of likable people depicted in Table 5.4 (p. 290)?
Are you able to use influence both up and down your organization considering the information in Table 5.5 (p. 293)

As Forbes notes (2015), being likable is not a matter of being born with such skills, but by honing them; therefore, being a leader is a matter of emotional intelligence (EQ). 

We like people when we have reason to believe they will: 

• Support an open, honest, and loyal relationship. 
• Foster intimacy by being emotionally accessible. 
• Provide unconditional, positive regard and acceptance. 
• Endure some sacrifices if the relationship should demand them. 
• Provide social reinforcement in the form of sympathy or empathy. 
• Engage in the social exchanges necessary to sustain a relationship.

Some of the attributes Forbes listed were in line with Whetton and Cameron's (2011, p.290):

• They Ask Questions
• They Put Away Their Phones
• They Are Genuine
• They Don’t Pass Judgment
• They Don’t Seek Attention
• They Are Consistent
• They Use Positive Body Language
• They Leave a Strong First Impression
• They Greet People by Name
• They Smile
• They Know When To Open Up
• They Know Who To Touch (and They Touch Them)
• They Balance Passion and Fun

Power is the ability to influence others’ behavior. Politics is the process of gaining and using power. Therefore, political skills are a part of power. I am not comfortable with organizational politics, so in this arena, I could do a better job of utilizing resources to gain a better understanding of how to "play the game". Table 5.5 discusses how to managing the relationship with a boss. It states that it is wise to develop and maintain a relationship that fits the needs and styles of us both; realizes mutual expectations; keeps the boss informed; is based on dependability and honesty; and, selectively uses the boss’s time and resources. I believe I am effective in utilizing the time I have with my supervisor and making sure I am using the best ways to communicate with them as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I do believe we have different styles of working and communicating. For instance, I am the type of person who just comes in and asks for advice or direction, and I realize they like to converse a bit before going into business.

As far as being likable, I believe I have learned how to be friendly without delving into being considered a friends; I am someone who believes in coaching and sharing experience rather than dictating; and I believe in first, second and third impressions. I understand that working hard for a positive leader is more positive than working under someone who is oppressive and negative so I try to create a great working environment.

References

Bradberry, Travis . (2015). 13 Habits of Exceptionally Likeable People. Forbes. Accessed at http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/01/27/13-habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people/

Cameron, S. K. & Whetten, A. D. (2011). Developing management skills. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.