Unit 9 POWER AND AUTHORITY

2 Power: is one’s capacity to influence others, Authority: is the right to direct others. Source of power ( Types of power ). 1- Reward: power comes from ability to reward others. 2- Coercive power: comes from ability to punish others. 3- Legitimate power: comes from position in hierarchy 4- Referent power: ( role model) followers desire to be like the leader 5- Expert power: power through knowledge, skills, and information.

3 Nurse managers have reward and coercive power over their subordinates. Expert and referent power comes after manager and subordinates have worked together for some time. These types of power makes nurse managers to be selected on the basis of their technical expertise and personal leadership qualities, including their ability to serve as a role model

4 Informal sources of power: Personal power & not position power: 1. Education, experience, drive, and decisiveness are viewed positively and help establish credibility. 2. Location: individuals communicate more with people who are located near them in the organization, which increases their opportunities to influence In general, people are most comfortable with others who share similar values, beliefs, and customs.

5 Authority Is legitimate power: determined by structure, involves roles and relations The right to command Individuals are socialized very early to respond to authority as children are conditioned to accept the directives. Authority inherent in the position, not in the person Authority is traditionally structured as line or staff Staff authority has no command privileges. -subordinates advise or assist managers in the performance of their duties

6 Techniques for Building power: 1. Expand personal resources by: a.Self awareness الوعي الذاتي. b.Vitality حيوية c.Resilience مرونة d.Mental and emotional strength عقلانية وقوة عاطفية e.The ability to take risks. القدرة على تحمل المخاطر. * building resources in any of these areas will increase personal power

7 Techniques for Building power.. Cont.. 2. Present a powerful picture to others : (look, act, and talk ) Ex. The nurse who stands tall and is poised (ready), assertive, articulate, and well-groomed presents a picture of personal control and power. 3- Pay the entry fee : يعمل بلا كلل - Not clock watchers & do more, work harder, and contribute to the organization. - Attend meetings work in any shifts and weekend and holiday without complaining. - A power base achieved through hard work.

8 Techniques for Building power.. Cont.. 4- Determine the powerful in the organization : Understanding and working within both the formal and informal power structure is necessary. The powerful individuals in the informal structure are often more difficult to identify than those in the formal. 5- Learn the language and symbols of the organization : New members must understand and socialize with organizational culture and value system to build power.

9 Techniques for Building power.. Cont.. 6- Learn how to use the organization's priorities: 7- Increase professional skills and knowledge. performance must be extraordinary to enhance power. Excellence that reflects knowledge and skill enhances a nurse’s credibility and determines how they are viewed by others

10 Techniques for Building power.. Cont.. 8- Maintain a broad vision.: Power builders always look upward and outward. People without vision rarely become very powerful. 9- Use experts and seek counsel : By looking to others for advice and counsel 10- Be flexible.

11 Techniques for Building power.. Cont Develop visibility and a voice in the organization : Newcomers must become active in committees or groups and develop observational, listening and verbal skills. 12- Learn to toot your own horn : - Self-respect: one who is talented and unique. 13- Maintain a sense of humor : Appropriate humor is very effective.

12 Techniques for Building power.. Cont Empower other : - Leaders need to empower others and followers must empower their leaders. - Women are frequently bitter and envious of other woman, they withhold support and openly attack. - Nurses do not gain their share of power because they allow others to divide them and weaken their base.

13 Techniques for Building power.. Cont.. Some leaders don't teach others and not want to see others succeed. These individuals have been termed the queen bee syndrome. - The queen bee wants to be the main attraction and desires that subordinates remain powerless. - Power bring more power, while powerlessness generate more powerlessness. (the end)