If one is in the position of having influence on others, do they also then hold power? Lesson 7 covered the perspectives of power and influence, as these concepts are often thought of as interchangeable, but this is not always the case. Pfeffer mentions that you can earn power yourself by use of strategies and tactics instead of waiting around to receive it from your boss (2011). When considering social power, there are many aspects that can affect one’s power.
There have been times at work I have witnessed someone who is not in a position of power but still holds a great influence or negative influence over others. It seems to be that if you are a well-respected person who is good at what you do, there will surely be others who look up to you and follow your lead. Influence is the change in a target agent’s attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors as a result of influence tactics (PSU WC, 2019, Lesson 7). By knowing that, it is easy to see why influence differs from power. It shows that you don’t have to be someone’s boss to affect them and their behaviors in whatever situation you may be in.
I have personally been influenced by others, specifically coworkers, who worked at the same level as I did and held the same job title as me at the time. When someone has a positive, respectable, and admirable work ethic, it is influential on those around them and rubs off on others. This time I am referring to is when a coworker and I were both cake decorators in the bakery at our store. There was a girl who was experienced in the bakery as she had worked there for some time and she made the best quality product out of everyone else, including the boss in that position. Not only did she make great quality product, she also was the quickest and most efficient at the same time. Her work ethic and positive attitude truly had an effect on me and influenced me to want to do better and work up to her standards. After a short time, we were seen as equals. We loved working together because we would always be on the same page, working at the same pace, and producing beautiful product. The other girl who was in a position of power at that time eventually became threatened by our impactful working relationship and was also envious that we worked so efficiently (more so than she did). This became an issue later on in the department, but it all worked out in the end. Although my friend no longer works there, by her own choice as she is now a school teacher, I will always remember the great influence she had on me and how she challenged me to be a better worker.
People who have these effects on others just due to their personalities and behaviors are the ones that are influential. This simply goes to show that one does not have to be in a position of power to have influence on others.
Jeff Pfeffer: Power and Influence in the Collaborative Age. (2011, Feb 18). Mlabvideo. Youtube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/BXGQqwVb018
Pennsylvania State University World Campus. (2019) PSYCH 485. Lesson 7: Taxonomy of Social Power. Retrieved from: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1972967/modules/items/25704923
Carri Rae Davis says
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.
Carri Rae Davis says
I really enjoyed reading your blog post and I have experienced the same situation that you described. I immediately wondered what type of personality trades this person might have. Taking the trait approach It kind of reminded me of someone who is a natural leader which was described in Northouse (2016), briefly mentioned the great man theory (p. 19). According to Stogdill’s first survey, as cited by Northouse (2016), the situation is a factor in an individual’s leadership (p. 20). According to Stogdill’s second survey, as cited by Northouse (2016), argued that in addition to the situational factors the individual’s traits were also determinites of their leadership abilities (p. 21). Since you had mentioned that after she left the bakery, she went on to teaching, which is a leadership role in itself, I would argue that her leadership abilities were probably more determined by her traits then the situation. Based on your blog post description of this person, she did seem to possess some of the ten characteristics associated with leadership, that was suggested by Stogdill. Based on the limited knowledge that I have of her, I would suggest the following three — first, her responsibility and task completion. Second her persistence in meeting her goals, and third her influence on your behavior (p. 21).
Even though she did not have any legitimate power, she did seem to have leadership abilities, that influenced you. As a teacher, she now has legitimate power in her role.
Great Post!
Carri
mdh5581 says
You do a great job writing about how power is not necessary to lead. I have been a part of many sports teams and many times the best players and the ones that others will follow. If the best player has good work ethic that will rub off on the other players. I believe you are always able to lead even if you are not in a position of power. You are right when you say that if you are good at what you do there will be people who will look up to you and respect you.
One example of this was a basketball team I was on. It was apparent that our best player was the best player in the conference having just won the player of year award the year before. So, obviously ones first thought would be to follow his lead and success will follow. However, that was not the case. The coach and him did not see eye to eye and that led to a lot of frustration in both parties. Our star player was not the leader he wanted to be and could be and that ultimately rubbed off on the rest of the team’s attitude. We had a mediocre year despite having some of the best talent in the league. The overall attitude of our leaders influenced the play and work ethic in a negative fashion throughout the year.
Currently, I am in a leadership position as a high school sports coach. I have seen my fair share of players being great leaders even though they were not labeled as one. I do believe in a team setting it all starts with the boss or in my case the coach to set the tone. If a coach has a more controlling, micro-managing attitude I have seen players feel like they do not have the freedom to speak their minds and ultimately lead. When I coach, I always make sure to have a transparent environment so that everyone has a voice and can have the opportunity to lead.
Being a leader does not mean you have to be in a position of power, but it is up to the person who has the power to give the people the opportunity to lead. Freedom is key to allow people to have the confidence in themselves and their voice.