The real world of management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The real world of management - Essay Example Power is not a preserve of the top managers and bosses; it is a prerequisite of management at all levels. When abused, power can bring a previously successful organization down to its knees. Similarly, if power is used well and for the benefit of all employees it can bring up an organization that is previously perceived to be failing (Hatch & Cunliffe, 2006). For an employee to have a sense of belonging, engagement and happiness in any organization, they need to have power and control of situations. A good leader is one who does not use power for individual benefit but for the well being of the organization. Self centred people usually seek power to satisfy individual interests at the expense of the entire organization and colleagues. Power can be as good and bad as its source. If it is obtained through threats, humiliations, frustrations and intimidation of others, it becomes absolutely difficult to channel it for the benefit of the same people (Whatley, 2002). Absolute power is sai d to corrupt. As a result, power has to be balanced and checked so that it does not destroy an organization. It should be used to enhance control that seeks to uplift the standards of an organization and not derail or rob it of the already reaped gains. The Link between Power and Control There is a very close link between power and control at the workplace. Power gives an individual the ability to control and get things done. Control is a very significant component of management which gives an employee the confidence and a sense of feeling of having jurisdiction to take care of situations and circumstances (B2Bwhiteboard, 2012). Without power, control is absolutely impossible. A good leader is one who focuses his energy to work with others as a team to get things done. He is an individual who can discharge his duties both individually and within a team. In simple terms, he should be able to control the circumstances under which he works both individually and with others. However, no matter how energetic an individual may be, he cannot be able to control the team without power. It is, therefore, very clear that power and control are closely linked. It is also very evident that both power and control if wrongly used can bring about a feeling of dissatisfaction and a feeling of isolation among those who feel deprived of it (Bratton, Mills, Pyrch, & Sawchuk, 2003). Therefore, power should be balanced and checked to ensure that an organization is controlled in a manner that is not only acceptable but beneficial to the entire organization, its stakeholders including both the internal clients and employees. This should be done with the view that power leads to control implying that absolute power leads to absolute control, which may not be healthy in an organization (Pfeffer & Salancik, 2003). There are several sources of power. It may be obtained through coercion where people are forced into doing things owing to the dire consequences of failing to do them. In such situations, employees are forced to do things to avoid the punishment associated to the failure to perform such tasks. In some cases, power is obtained through reward. In such situations, employees are promised a reward for undertaking tasks. This could be in the form of a material gift. As such their loyalty is obtained. Whether obtained through intimidation, coercion or reward, power installs into an individual the capacity to control and direct the affairs at the workplace (Simon, 2009). Tensions and Contradictions Surrounding Power and Influence In most cases, people like too much of what is good. Power, however, is seen to be good and bad. When rightly used, power