1. 7
Understanding Power and Politics

2. Learning Outcomes Define power. Describe how power is used.
Discuss how image is a source of power.

3. Learning Outcomes Explain how to use shared visioning as a power tool.
Discuss how politics influence policy.
Describe how nurses can use politics to influence policies.

4. Power Centers around the ability to influence others Symmetrical power
Two parties have equal and reciprocal power
Asymmetrical power
One person or group has more control than another

5. Power
Is used to achieve goals
Can be used to improve patient care

6. Power and Leadership Principle-centered power Leadership power
Based on honor, respect, loyalty, and commitment
Power sharing flows from values and principles
Leadership power
Ability to sustain proactive influence

7. Principle-Centered Power
Nurses must understand and select behaviors that activate principle-centered leadership
Get to know people
Be open
Know your values and visions

8. Principle-Centered Power
Nurses must understand and select behaviors that activate principle-centered leadership
Sharpen your interpersonal competence
Use your power to enable others
Enlarge your sphere of influence and connectedness

9. Position Power Position power determined by: Job description
Assigned responsibilities
Recognition
Advancement
Authority
Ability to withhold money
Decision making

10. Personal Power Credibility Reputation Expertise Experience
Control of resources or information
Ability to build trust

11. Seven Types of Power Reward power Coercive power Legitimate power
Expert power
Referent power
Information power
Connection power

12. Types of Power Reward power
Based on inducements the manager can offer in exchange for cooperation
Used in relation to a manager's formal job responsibilities

13. Types of Power Punishment power
Based on the penalties a manager might impose on an individual or a group
Motivation to comply is based on fear of punishment or withholding of rewards

14. Types of Power Legitimate power Expert power
Authority associated with job or rank
Expert power
Based on possession of certain skills, knowledge, and competence

15. Types of Power Referent power
Based on admiration and respect for an individual
Relates to the manager's likability and success

16. Types of Power Information power Based on access to valued data
Depends on the manager's organizational position, connections, and communication skills

17. Types of Power Connection power
Based on an individual's formal and informal links to influential persons
Relates to the status and visibility of the individual

18. Using Power Considered unattractive by some
Negative association of power with aggression and coercion remains strong
Power grabbing, power plays
Nurses tend to be more comfortable with power sharing and empowerment

19. Using Power Appropriately
Way power is used has a lasting effect on relationships
Best to use least amount of power necessary
Use power appropriate to the situation

20. Using Power Appropriately
Improper use of power can destroy a manager's effectiveness
Power can be overused or underused
Power plays are attempts to diminish or demolish one’s opponents

21. Table 7-1 ("Rules for Using Power")

22. Image as Power A powerful image enhances the ability to achieve goals
Images emerge from interactions and communications with others
Positive interactions create a strong, favorable image for the individual and the profession

23. Promoting an Image of Power
Introduce yourself by saying your name, using eye contact, and shaking hands
Dress appropriately

24. Promoting an Image of Power
Convey a positive and energetic attitude
Pay attention to how you speak and how you act when you speak
Nonverbal signs and signals say more about you than words

25. Promoting an Image of Power
Use facts and figures when you need to demonstrate your point
Patient acuity, daily census, length of stay, and overtime budgets
Data that reflect nursing's overall contribution
Become visible, be available, and offer assistance

26. Promoting an Image of Power
When dealing with people outside of nursing, it is important to develop powerful partnerships
Make it a point to get to know the people who matter in your sphere of influence
The more power you use, the more you get

27. Promoting an Image of Power
Know who holds the power
Identify key power brokers
Develop a strategy for gaining access to power brokers
Develop a keen sense of timing

28. Promoting an Image of Power
Use power appropriately to promote consensus in organizational goals
Nursing's goal is to ensure that identified markets have a clear understanding of what nursing is
Nursing care is often seen as an indicator of an organization's overall quality

29. Shared Visioning
Process in which leaders and followers commit to the organization's goals
Integrated leadership styles essential to success
Innovation necessary to effect positive change
Leader helps guide group toward desired vision

30. Politics Politics: Can be used to influence policy
Is an interpersonal endeavor
Is a collective activity
Requires analysis and planning
Involves image

31. Nursing's Political History
Political activities
Began with Florence Nightingale
Nursing schools and women's suffrage
Nursing organizations
Feminism

32. Policy and Political Action
Policies
The decisions that govern action
Determine an organization's relationships, activities, and goals
Result from political action
Politics
Art of influencing others to achieve a goal

33. Policy and Political Action
Identify the stakeholders
People or groups who have a direct interest in the work of an organization
Political action in the community
Workplace, government, and organizations all interact with the community

34. Political Skill Political skill: Is vital for nurses to achieve goals
Is built on relationships with others
Can be acquired
Can be used to improve the effectiveness of care

35. Improving Political Skills
Learn self-promotion
Be honest and tell the truth
Use compliments
Discourage gossip
Do and ask for favors
Attend to grooming and attire
Use good manners

36. Table 7-3 ("How to Work with Public Officials")

37. Using Power and Politics for Nursing's Future
Convert your policy ideas into political realities
Use persuasion over coercion
Use patience over impatience
Be open-minded rather than closed-minded
Use compassion over confrontation
Use integrity over dishonesty