ESSAY. Write your answer in the space provided or on a separate sheet of paper.
Mini–Case: Channel Surfing. You know you should be studying for that management test tomorrow, but you have decided
to take a break. With the remote control firmly in your hand, you hit the TV waves. On channel 53 some sports athletes are
discussing the importance of being a team player. Striving for individual honors will hurt the team and eventually you, they
say. On channel 13 beautiful people are at the beach playing volleyball, water skiing, and dancing. They are also drinking
beer (well, there is beer in their hands even if you didn’t see anyone take a drink). You wonder why your friends don’t look
like that … maybe it’s the beer you drink, you think. On channel 44 an entrepreneur is discussing how she took this idea of
hers to a multimillion dollar company in less than two years. She says the key is to be diligent and know your product. You
wonder if she is hiring. On channel 23 some ex–PGA golf pro is explaining the usefulness of a golf club that falls apart in
your back swing if you swing the club incorrectly. He says it did wonders for his game. You wonder, if it did wonders for his
game why isn’t he back on the tour? Finally, you decide you have had enough and go to bed wishing now that you had
studied. Well … you think ... if I get up at 5:00 a.m., I can …
Several determinants of personal power are illustrated in the story of channel surfing. For each of the following
situations, indicate the type of personal power that was illustrated. Provide support for your answer.
Situation #1: On channel 53 which source of power was being utilized?
Situation #2: Which type of power is being utilized on channel 13?
Situation #3: Which type of power is being utilized on channel 44?
Situation #4: Which type of power is being utilized on channel 23?
What is the difference between personal power and position power?
Mini–Case: A Day at the Office. Your boss has called you into his office. It’s 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. He asks, “I’ve talked to
others in your group, and they have agreed to work this weekend to get the project out the door by next Monday. I had better
be able to count on you. It’s not going to pretty if you can’t make it work.” You respond, “Let me check my calendar and get
back to you by 11:00 a.m. I need to double–check my calendar before I commit.” Your boss grudgingly agrees. In checking
your schedule, you see that you have a meeting at 2:00 p.m. with one of your company’s major clients to review the latest
shipment. If you work this weekend, you will have to cancel the meeting because you will have some preparation work to do
prior to working on the project this weekend. The client will not be pleased if you cancel the meeting. You immediately find
Max and say, “Max, good friend, remember that time I pulled your shift last May when your wife had the baby? Well, I need
for you to cover for me this weekend. Can you?” Max agrees. You go to your boss’s office and before you have an opportunity
to speak, he says, “I was a little brusque with you earlier. The fact is, I really need for you to see this project through for me.
You are the only one in the group that fully comprehends what this project means to the company. I need your expertise and
judgment on this.”
Which influence strategy did your boss try the second time you spoke with him?