Source Of Power

SOURCE OF POWER

Before I, introduce the source of power. We must first understand what power means.

POWER! What comes first in your mind if you hear this word?

The ability for computer, lights all electronically equipment to work, to be in control, the ability to change people, act of force.

Power has many definitions depending on the concept in which you use it.

In today’s life power is all around us in the office, in the supermarket, at the bank, in the executive suite, in our churches, hospitals, schools and homes.

Power is the ability to influence and produce a desired effect on other individuals without having one’s own behavior modified in any undesired way by other individuals. Some people see power as being limited in amount, kind like a pie, with constant conflict about who gets the largest slice. But other people see it again as having no limits. Unfortunately, power can be abuse for instance a manager can use his power just to show that it exists by unfairly punishing an employee. Without power, there can be no authority and with out authority there can be no discipline.

There are a few basic things that can be easily used to influence people, without realizing it.

Money is king! This is one of the obvious things that can influence people. Budget power is very important not only in a business but in your normal life also. Other people may have ideas but if you have the money then you can decide what idea is the best.

Information is also very important cause with the incorrect supply of information things can go extremely wrong. Take for example an attorney if his client supplies him with incorrect info. The attorney will work with that information that was provided to him but how stressful can it be if the attorneys finds out just before the court hearing that his client information was incorrect or they didn’t tell the whole truth. It’s also important in a workplace to keep your employee’s up to date with the latest developments. Successful managers are always among the first to pass along vital information to their departments. It can happen by a short meeting or a notice that’s put up on the bulletin board. Employees will see that their managers keep them up to date with all the important information they will appreciate it and will work harder for their manager.

Knowledge or skills can influence people so quickly. You are a bookkeeper, you studied to become one. Now you have the power to ask for more because you are entitled to it. You got more knowledge and skills about your position and they need you.

We said earlier on that money is king, but where does money come from? Clients! Without clients there’s no work, no money. So clients have a lot of ability to influence a business. Client is always right.

Access to power for people who don’t have a lot of power is also important. For example you need an urgent appointment with the CEO, who makes that the secretary. You know the CEO diary is a nightmare, but here the secretary has power to make a space for you or not.

Lastly, permission, scarce and dependency.

Power balances is very important to be in a relationship.

Let me give you an example to explain all above. Look at the different ways a car salesperson is using this powers. First a salesperson must convince the client that a certain car that he sells is suitable for him. But the people are people, they won’t comply immediately.

Jack needs a new car, his current car has just broken down and can’t be repaired, and he enters the showroom at Big Motors. As he enters, he is greeted by Bob, car salesperson. Bob hopes to get the upper hand - power- in the relationship. Bob asks,”I see you’re walking. I guess you car must be broken down. Will you be needing a car to get to work?”

Strategy: try to determine how important the resource is to the other person. How much power you have

over the other person.

Jack (a person who knows how the power battle works) recognizes Bob’s strategy. If he admits that getting to his job would be difficult without a car, then Bob will know how important the purchase of a car is to him. He will then know that he has a degree of power in their relationship. Jack says, “My car is in great shape. I’m just shopping around for a car that I might give to my girlfriend for her birthday.”

Bob notices that Jack is looking at the 4x4 pickup truck and he say to Jack “Those 4x4 are really popular. If you’re interested in buying one, you’d better act fast. This is the last one we have in stock and we were also informed that the manufacturer has stopped making this model. Would you be interested in putting a deposit on this vehicle?”

Strategy: try to convince the other person that the resource they desire is scarce. The scarcer the resource, the more power you have.

Again Jack sees through Bob’s strategy: he wants him to believe that the 4x4 he’s interested in is scarce. In order to get the power balance Jack responds, “Really, I happened to see this very model at a dealership in Durban.”

Bob responds by saying, “There are plenty of dealerships in the country selling this brand, but our dealership is the only one that will give you a 100% service warranty for the first three years that you own the car. I can say, with pride, that our service department is one of a kind.

Strategy: try to convince the other person that there is no substitute for the resources they desire.

If what Bob had said about the warranty were true, he would have shifted the relative power balance.

Jack not sure of his facts, but feeling uncomfortable that the power balance seems to have shifted, lies and say “Come on, I know this three warranty is a standard thing with all the dealerships selling this brand of car”

This kind of attempt to find out who has the power in this relationship can go on. The relationship ends when Bob makes the sale or when Jack decides that he will not deal with Big Motors.

Know that we have background of what power is.