Human Relations in Organizations: Applications and Skill Building 8th Edition by Robert Lussier

Exercise 20

Note: This exercise is designed for permanent groups that have worked together at least twice.
Objective: To better understand power and how people gain power.
AACSB: The primary AACSB learning standard skills developed through this exercise are reflective thinking and leadership.
Preparation: You should have read and understood the text chapter.
Experience: Your group will discuss power within the group.
Permanent teams get together and decide which member has the most power at this time (greatest ability to influence group members' behavior). Power can change with time.
Before discussion, all members select the member they believe has the most power. You may select yourself. Write the most powerful person's name here: _______________.
After everyone has made their selection, each member should state who was selected and explain why. Record the names of those selected below.
Come to an agreement on the one person with the most power. Write the group's choice here: __________________.
Was there a struggle for power?
Why is this person the most powerful in the group? To help you answer this question, as a group, answer the following questions about your most powerful person:
1. Which of the nine human relations guidelines (discussed in Chapter 1) does he or she follow: (1) be optimistic, (2) be positive, (3) be genuinely interested in other people, (4) smile and develop a sense of humor, (5) call people by name, (6) listen to people, (7) help others, (8) think before you act, and (9) create win-win situations?
2. How does this person project a positive image? What type of image does his or her appearance project? What nonverbal communication does this person project that sends a positive image? What behavior does this person use that gains him or her power?
3. What is the primary source of this person's power (position, personal)?
4. What is the primary base for this person's power in the group (coercive, connection, reward, legitimate, referent, information, expert)?
5. Which political behaviors does this person use (gets along with everyone, makes people feel important and compliments them, compromises and avoids telling people they are wrong)?
6. Does this person use ethical or unethical politics?
7. Does this person cooperate with, compete with, or criticize group members?
Overall, why is this person the most powerful? (Agree and write the reason below.) Share the feeling you experienced doing this exercise. How did you feel about not being, or being, selected as the most powerful group member? Who wanted power and who didn't? Is it wrong or bad to want and seek power?
Optional:
1. A spokesperson from each group tells the class which member was selected as the most powerful, and the overall reason why the person is considered to be the most powerful.
2. A spokesperson from each group does not tell the class which member was selected as the most powerful, but does state the overall reason why the person is considered to be the most powerful.
Conclusion: The instructor leads a class discussion and/or makes concluding remarks.
Application (2-4 minutes): What did I learn from this exercise? How will I use this knowledge in the future?
Sharing: Volunteers give their answers to the application section.