Power and Politics - Assignment Example

Power and Politics of Introduction In an organization, there is a strong relationship between politics and power. Usually, the political forces determine the decisions, which the organization’s management makes. Also, the powers that a person has in an organization indicate his/her ability to influence the actions that the organization takes. Therefore, the essay answers the following questions in relation to power and politics in an organization. Forms of Interpersonal Power An organization cannot miss the interpersonal powers, which are used in shaping its resolutions and activities.

Notably, such powers take different forms including coercive, legitimate, expert and referent (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). Firstly, coercive powers are those used in forcefully enforcing a particular behavior or action. Secondly, the legitimate power is the one acquired through systematic elections and appointments. Thirdly, expert powers are those acquired through one’s ability to perform a given task beyond the scope of fellow workers. For example, the talents that John Lasseter had in animation gave him the expert power in the organization.

Finally, the referent power is the one acquired through referrals or, inheritance. Two Faces of Power Literally, the two faces of power are positive and negative (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). In essence, the positive power is the ethical use of authority over the subjects and the expertise in doing particular work. The positive power appears in the works of Lasseter, who uses his talents in doing his work perfectly (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). Furthermore, he manifested the positive power by not speaking negatively about the organization after being dishonored and thrown out of the organization.

On the other hand, the negative power is that used in coercing or intimidating others. In the case study, the head of Disney studio applied negative power, when he sacked Lasseter from duty (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). Firing of John Lasseter and Ethical Use of Power In the case study, firing John Lasseter was not an ethical use of power, because there was no reason to warrant his termination (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). In fact, the studio head only raised concern over the cost of producing the animation.

Even if the cost was high, sacking of Lasseter did not offer a solution on the best way to produce the animations. Moreover, the way he was sacked was not ethical, because a phone call was not a proper way to terminate an expert as was the case. The ethical way that the head would have used was to drop the idea, once he detected that the cost would be too high for the organization. When he walked out and perhaps instructed Lasseter’s superior to call and inform him of the sacking, he demonstrated high handedness and the use of coercion in exercising authority (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009).

Firing of John Lasseter and Political Behavior Critically examining the circumstances under which Lasseter was terminated, one can argue that his firing indicated the existence of political behavior in the Disney organization. Possibly, the head of the studio had realized the potential of the employee, who threatened his power (McCuddy, Louis & Morga, 2009). Indeed, it is a political behavior that one would eliminate the person, who threatens his/her position. Organizational Political Behavior In illustrating the impact of political behavior and its impact on the workers, it is significant to note that the most powerful people would determine the course of actions that the organization takes on a person.

For example a junior would lose his/her job for being a threat to the management. Conclusion In summary, power and politics determines a lot in terms of behavior in the organization. In addition, the negative and positive power could be implemented in a way that is detriments or benefits a person. Finally, ethics and use of power is an important aspect of management that many managers ignore. Reference McCuddy, M. K., Louis S., & Morga, M. L. (2009). Power and Politics in the fall and Rise of John Lasseter: The Case Study.

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