Power and Influence

by John P. Kotter

Table 5-1 The Myth The Reality Basic Conception of the Job A supervisory job is a position of authority A supervisory job is a position of dependence Relevant Focus of Attention The people reporting directly to the supervisor (i.e., a small number of people and relationships) All subordinates working on important tasks, regardless of level or rank and all important relationships among subordinates or between subordinates and others (i.e., a large number of people and relationships) Key Assets Required to Do the Job Knowledge about planning, organizing, staffing, directing, evaluating Sufficient power to make up for the power gap inherent in the job Key Behavior Required to Lead Subordinates The basic management processes: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, etc. A wide range of soft and hard, direct and indirect, substantive and symbolic, participatory and authoritarian approaches applied with great care to fit the needs of the situation. Other Important Behaviors None necessary One must also competently manage all lateral and boss relationships V