Power and politics are important aspects of any workplace. Power refers to the ability to influence or control others, while politics refers to the processes by which power is acquired and used. In the workplace, power can take many forms, such as legitimate power, reward power, coercive power, expert power, and referent power. Politics can take many forms as well, such as networking, coalition-building, persuasion, information control, and lobbying. Understanding power and politics in the workplace is crucial for navigating organizational dynamics and achieving career success.

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Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the power model (sources of power, contingencies of power, etc.)
2. Recognize different influence tactics and when to use them
3. Describe how power can be used ethically