Question

Power is one of the main assets for the successful running of organisations’’. Using appropriate examples from your organisation, critically assess the sources of power of managers, highlighting how such power is managed effectively.

Answer 1

Power sources of managers in organizations include legitimate power, expert power, referent power, coercive power, and reward power.

Managers need to manage their power effectively by using the different sources of power in appropriate ways and maintaining positive relationships with their subordinates.

Step-by-step explanation:

Power is a crucial asset for the successful running of organizations. Managers in organizations possess various sources of power, which they need to manage effectively. Some examples of sources of power for managers include:

1. Legitimate power: This is power that is based on a manager's position or authority within the organization. For example, a CEO has legitimate power because of their position at the top of the organizational hierarchy.
2. Expert power: This is power that comes from a manager's expertise or knowledge in a particular field. For instance, a manager who is highly knowledgeable in marketing strategies may have expert power in influencing marketing decisions.
3. Referent power: This is power that comes from the personal charisma, attractiveness, or likability of a manager. Managers who are well-liked and respected by their subordinates often have referent power.
4. Coercive power: This is power that comes from a manager's ability to use punishments or negative consequences to influence the behavior of others. For example, a manager who can withhold promotions or give unfavorable assignments has coercive power.
5. Reward power: This is power that comes from a manager's ability to give rewards or positive consequences to influence the behavior of others. Managers who have control over promotions, salary increases, or bonuses have reward power.

Effective management of power involves using the different sources of power in appropriate ways, depending on the situation and the individuals involved. It is important for managers to strike a balance between using their power to achieve organizational goals and maintaining positive relationships with their subordinates.