Here, power is defined and distinguished from the related concepts of authority and leadership, and several bases of power and aspects of power dependency are discussed. In this chapter, we will examine various aspects of power and politics in organizations, beginning with the topic of power in interpersonal relations.

Although these aspects of power also relate to group situations, they are more germane to interpersonal relations Numerous definitions of power abound in the literature on organizations.

Politics — Involves those activities taken within an organization to acquire, develop, and use power and other resources to attain preferred outcomes in a situation in which there is…. Power — The probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will despite resistance. Bases of power — The five bases of power are referent, expert, legitimate, reward, and coercive power. Leadership — The ability of one individual to elicit responses from another person that go beyond required or mechanical compliance.

Be able to define what Power is; recognize employee concerns; explain reasons for request.