Organization 21C: Someday All Organizations Will Lead This Way

Situational and Personal Bases of Power

As should be increasingly clear, power is a complex result of organizational position and personal attributes. Some people have skills or characteristics that allow them to be influential with others; some people have organizational positions that allow them more access to resources, information, or relationships; and some, like Jack Welch, have both. No matter how many attempts are made to make organizations boundaryless, to eliminate arbitrary distinctions among members, or to enhance individual skills, differences in ability to influence will remain. Position and skills usually interact. Some personal attributes increase the chance of acquiring situational power, and having a powerful position can enhance ...