Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 14/e

Power and Leadership

We often talk about power abstractly—with either respect, pride, or deference. In organizational behavior (OB), power simply refers to a capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B so B acts in accordance with A’s wishes.1 Someone can thus have power but not use it; it is a capacity or potential. Probably the most important aspect of power is that it is a function of dependence. The greater B’s dependence on A, the greater A’s power in the relationship. Dependence, in turn, is based on alternatives that B perceives and the importance B places on the alternative(s) A controls. A person can have power over you only if he or she controls something you desire. If you want a college degree and have to pass a certain course ...