“Power is the capacity to produce effects on others (House, 1984), or the potential to influence others (Bass, 1990). Whereas Influence is the change in a target agent’s attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors as a result of influence tactics. Influence tactics are one person’s actual behaviors designed to change another person’s attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors.”
I have always prided myself in being strong willed and impenetrable to the influence of others. However I have recently felt the pull of negativity at my job from a coworker. Long story short, this coworker is overqualified and undercompensated. To make matter worst she has a major issue with that fact that our Manager is younger than her. For these reason, this coworker covertly undermines everything our manager tries to do.
What this coworker fails to realize is that the power lies with the official title of manger. The schedule is determined as well as daily tasks by this manager individual. Yet the influence in the work environment lies with this negative employee. It wasn’t until, I started to develop my own negative internal script about our manager that I took notice that I was being influenced by my fellow coworker.
The influence tactics utilized on me over the past month have actually changed my attitudes toward my manager. Thus making it difficult to take her direction or want to come into work on some days. Luckily this is just a temporary job until I start my year of service with City Year.
In highlight, have you ever been influence by someone at you workplace? If so are you still being influenced?
Work Cited:
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.).
https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/su15/psych485/001/content/13_lesson/08_page.html
Justin Sardis says
Justin Sardis
Psych 485
Power & Influence Blog Comment
After reading your post, I agree with your perspective about how power impacts the
decisions people make and how power influences the way people behave under particular
circumstances. You’ve supported your beliefs about power and influence by defining both
power and influence, and by providing a personal encounter in which you’ve experienced
that portrays aspects of power and influence. I’ve also witnessed and experienced
scenarios where I’ve seen others make choices because they’ve felt obligated to do so due
to being pressured by someone with authority and since the person advising them to do
something has power over them. Its very common for this to take place and its unfortunate
due to the effects it has on important decisions that potentially take a toll on a large
number of people. Previous research has displayed the aftermath that has occurred due to
a negative influence on the decisions both leaders and followers have been pressured to
make (Northouse, 2013). Hence, you’ve shown that you have an understanding of how
power and influence come to play due to your use of credible knowledge to support your
thoughts about power and influence and in your personal encounter you stated
throughout your blog post.
Reference
1. Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage
Publications.
Michael Thomas Holsberger says
Like Emily mentioned, I believe just about everyone has a story about being negatively influenced in the work place at some point or another in their careers. I’ve found over the years that I’ve fallen victim to individuals with whom I have to work around the most. For the majority, many of them are miserable people who have been stuck in the same tiring job for20+ years. For the most part work is the only thing they have in their lives, and they’re never happy unless they’re complaining to someone about something. Until I was promoted to a maintenance manager position I never really realized the toll their influence had on my outlook. Since then I’ve been able to convert myself into a more optimistic person who lets the complaining go in one ear and out the other, without it interrupting how I perceive other employees or situations. I’m glad you’re able to get away from the negativity that this employee has created for you. Hopefully this experience will give you some insight for dealing with similar employees in the future.
Emily Catherine Paul says
Great post!
Your story is one I feel many people can relate to. I, too, have been negatively influenced by others at my workplace. A common issue I’ve noticed is an employees vs. management struggle that affects everyone involved. The instigators are usually people who think they have a better idea for how things should be done. When this attitude among employees is recognized, it creates a toxic gap between management and employees.
One particular situation I can remember being negatively affected by influence tactics is when I befriended a woman who was the “Queen Bee”of the evening shift. From the outside, she seemed to be highly respected by her peers and had great leadership qualities. When I changed from day shift to night shift, I was in awe of how clever she was. She knew how to extract gossip from everyone! I feel lucky to have seen through the mask she wore around me in an effort to gain power. She started rumors, and then pulled me aside to let me know that my co-workers were concerned about me because of these rumors. At first, I felt insecure about what was said and let the whole situation get to me. Shortly thereafter, I realized she was the instigator and everything she told me was falsified. Ignoring her, avoiding confrontation, and not buying into her stories was the only way to avoid her having any sort of power over me.
I’m glad to hear you’re only at your job temporarily and you’ll be able to escape the uncomfortable situation. Now that you understand the influence tactics your co-worker is using, does this change the way you feel about your manager?