Question 1

You have a desire to move up in the company. You have been offered two positions. One position is more people oriented and the other position is more task oriented. Which position should you take?

Accepted Answer

Being people-oriented is an important quality to have if you want to move up in a company as it involves working with and managing people. Even if the task-oriented position may seem more prestigious or has better pay, being able to interact well with people and build relationships is crucial for advancing in most organizations.

Question 2

What does relevance as a power base refer to?

Accepted Answer

Relevance as a power base refers to being associated with activities that are directly related to the organization's central objectives. This means that individuals who hold positions or have skills that are important to achieving the organization's goals have a greater degree of influence and power within the organization.

Question 3

Your boss is discussing power and influence and states, "Power is a necessary precondition for influence." Should you agree or disagree?

Accepted Answer

Power is often considered a necessary precondition for influence because it provides the capacity to affect others' behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes, which is essential for exerting influence.

Question 4

If you want to increase the relevance of your job to the organization, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

You just convinced your boss that you need to increase cooperation across departments for the Web project that you were assigned to lead to be successful. How have you increased your power?

Accepted Answer

By increasing cooperation across departments, you have increased the centrality of your position, as you are now more integral to the flow of information and resources within the organization.

Question 6

When structure holes are present, what is the best configuration of your network to ensure maximum power for yourself?

Accepted Answer

By being the bridge between disconnected groups, you control the flow of information and resources, maximizing your power and influence.

Question 7

During the interview process, the interviewer told you that the position you have applied for has been in this organization for over 50 years. You have been looking for a job that affords you discretion. Which statement describes your reaction to the news from the interviewer?

Accepted Answer

The fact that the position has been in the organization for over 50 years may indicate that there are established procedures and protocols in place that may limit the amount of discretion you have in the job. This is not ideal for someone who is looking for a job with more freedom and discretion.

Question 8

How is power accrued via horizontal and vertical network relationships?

Accepted Answer

Power can be accrued by one's location and function in the network. In a horizontal network, power can be accrued by having a central position and connections to others throughout the network. In a vertical network, power can be accrued by having a higher rank or position in the hierarchy. Manipulating people, the flexibility of one's personality, and exercising judgment in decision making may all be tactics that can be used to accrue power, but they are not necessarily tied to specific network relationships.

Question 9

If you are looking to improve your flexibility, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Participating in the formation of a group often requires adaptability and flexibility as the group's norms, roles, and objectives are being established. This environment can foster and improve an individual's flexibility.

Question 10

In a company that sells golf clubs, a job in which department has more relevance power?

Accepted Answer

In a company that sells golf clubs, the department that generates revenue and profits is the sales department. Therefore, the department that has more relevance and power is the sales department. The other departments are important too, but they don't have the same level of impact on the bottom line.

Question 11

You are graduating this summer and are seeking an influential position. Your major is finance. Which job should you choose to maximize your relevant power?

Accepted Answer

Working for a stockbroker firm, despite offering a lower salary compared to some other options, is the most relevant choice for someone with a finance major looking to maximize their influential power in their field. The finance industry, including stockbroker firms, is directly related to finance and offers significant opportunities for influence through investment decisions, market analysis, and financial advising.

Question 12

What is included in ways to gain visibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is included in ways to gain...

Question 13

If you want to increase your power by having information routed through your position and by increasing the technical sophistication of your work, what have you increased?

Accepted Answer

By having information routed through your position, you become more central to the organization and increase your power. The technical sophistication of your work may also increase your expertise and influence within the organization, but it doesn't necessarily lead to increased latitude and flexibility, visibility, or decision-making opportunities.

Question 14

What does it suggest about an organization if people are rewarded for being reliable and predictable?

Accepted Answer

Rewarding people for being reliable and predictable suggests that the organization values consistency and conformity over creativity and innovation. This implies that individuals who use discretion may be seen as deviating from the established norms and therefore may face penalties or negative consequences.

Question 15

Which of the following advice is consistent with centrality as a power base?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following advice is consistent...

Question 16

If you took on functions essential for the performance of other activities, how have you expanded your power?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you took on functions essential for...

Question 17

The task force has been meeting for several weeks on distributing bonuses for employees but has become hopelessly stalled. You were added to the committee to influence the group's decision. What will this do to your influence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The task force has been meeting for...

Question 18

What is the best way to gain visibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the best way to gain...

Question 19

Beverly regularly communicates with both Doris and Albert to share important information, but Doris and Albert don't know each other. One day, Doris and Albert strike up a friendship and start sharing information. Referencing structure holes, which of the following is not true?

Accepted Answer

The structure holes concept suggests that individuals who bridge structural holes have higher centrality, control over information flow, and influence. In this scenario, when Doris and Albert start sharing information, Beverly now has a structural hole in her network, which means she has less centrality, less control over information flow, and less influence than before. Therefore, option B is not true.

Question 20

What will a performance appraisal system that rewards initiative and innovation do?

Accepted Answer

A performance appraisal system that rewards initiative and innovation encourages employees to take risks and be more creative. This increases their discretion and ultimately their power to make decisions and influence outcomes within the organization.

Quiz 5: Gaining Power and Influence