Ahmed Radwan Basic Definitions POWER: is the ability to influence someone else. INFLUENCE: is the process of affecting the thoughts, feelings and behaviour of others. AUTHORITY: is the right to order others to do what you want. Ahmed Radwan Sources of Interpersonal Power All employees have a zone of indifference, the range in which they perceive influence attempts to be legitimate . Authority is a less useful method to expand the zone of indifference because it is a right. Ahmed Radwan Sources of Interpersonal Power The capacity to exert influence could be done through : Reward Power: is gained through providing positive outcome or preventing negative outcome. E.g. telling a subordinate that he has been very effective in productivity enhancement during a formal performance review. Used to back up legitimate power because managers are given the authority to recommend pay rises, promotions and transfers. Managerial reward power is expressed through delegating authority, praising and recognising performance . Ahmed Radwan Sources of Interpersonal Power Coercive Power: gained through the use of punishment or threat. It must be used carefully. Managers can assign undesirable tasks and give negative performance feedback. Legitimate Power: is gained due to one's position in the hierarchy. E.g Transferring an employee to an overseas assignment. Those types are function of vertical placement in the hierarchy. Ahmed Radwan Sources of Interpersonal Power Expert Power : the possession of specialised expertise or information which is of a high value to organisationan success. Expert power is acquired through the ability to solve key organisational problems. E.g. including a design engineer in all product review meetings because of his experience in design work. Referent Power: is usually gained by charismatic individual well liked & admired by others. E.g.emulating a senior design engineer who is widely respected throughout the