Critical Approaches & Power Dynamics

Anonymous employee
*source: Google images*

Revealing systems of control and power 

In all organizations there is varying levels of power, control, and politics. It can affect the work environment, productivity, employee satisfaction and other aspects of an organization.

I conducted an interview with an employee who's company is the epitomy of "unfair and unnecessary power structures, procedures, and communication practices" (Gallagher, Erin. Critical Approaches, PPT slides, 2013)

To respect the employee and the organization, both will remain anonymous through out this blog entry. I will refer to the employee as [D] and his boss as [^^] and myself as [LT]. 

[LT] How is power distributed throughout the organization?
[D]: It's held by executive level
[LT]: How much voice does the average employee have? 

[D]: "There's little room to voice one's opinion. Even if we voice our opinions, it's not heard."

*image source dilbert.com*

*image source dilbert.com*

[LT]: What effect does this have on your abilities to achieve tasks, projects, and goals?

[D]: HA!

*image source dilbert.com*

[LT]: I see.... very discouraging, unsupportive, and inhibiting.

[D]: Pretty much. They think we are all idiots. We're micromanaged and given senseless tasks that we cannot accomplish  due to a lack of support, information, resources, and proper approvals to get anything done. 

[LT]: So the leadership is holding you back?

[D]: It's a never ending cycle...

*image source dilbert.com* 

[LT]: Would you describe the relationship with your manager positive or negative?

[D]: well.... it's more the latter than the former."

Simple Power *image source dilbert.com*

[LT]: What are some policies and that are hindering your productivity? 

[D]: "What isn't hindering my productivity? The constant procedures and policies are utter non-sense, but it keeps the power in upper-management's hands. As an employee, I don't have the ability to make simple decisions, and hence cannot complete my job in a timely or productive manner."

An example of bureaucratic control. *image source dilbert.com*

[D]: Technology does not work in our favor. It doesn't always make sense and the extra security procedures make it more complicated than necessary. I understand it is a way the company can keep control of their information, but it makes it harder and less convenient for us to use as employees. 

 [LT]: Do you at least have the technological support? 

*image source dilbert.com*

[LT]: Hmm.... certainly sounds like there are varying levels of control.

As organizational communication theories discuss, control comes in four forms of power: Simple,  Bureaucratic, Technological, and Concertive.

Simple power 

Simple power is the use of the authoritative power granted with a position of leadership. 

Bureaucratic power is referring to the policies and procedures necessary to follow.

Technological power is the power technology can provide to control one's actions. (i.e. security cameras, password protection codes, security clearances, blocked websites, etc.)

Bueacratic power 

Technology power

  





And finally, Concertive power is control through culture and identification. It's the pressure that co-workers apply to coerce one to follow certain norms and rules (typically established by upper management). 

Power and control is necessary. The question is, as an organization how can you use power and control without inhibiting productivity and demoralizing employees? 

There is no answer, only self analysis. 

As an employee you must realize you have a choice. That is your power. You have the choice to be submissive to the powers/control around you. You have a choice to stay at that establishment. Of course your choice will have consequences, so what are you willing to accept? What is it that corporate wants? Why are they employing these forms of power and control? If you know the answers to these you be begin to find other solutions. You can learn to be an influencer to change the way things are done. Consider the book How to Win Friends and Influences People by Dan Carnegie, as well as other persuasion and influence techniques. 

As a corporation, review what are the forms of power/control being exercised? What is their purpose? How is it affecting employee morale and productivity? How much extra stress and work in placed on you to maintain this power? How much control is really required? Rationalize this. How much can be dispersed to employees so they are empowered? What needs to be communicated and what training is necessary so that they are empowered? How can you monitor the quality and security still so you can release more power/control without inhibiting productivity or morale?

It's all a balancing act. If power and control is misused it can have detrimental effects, like it does with our guest employee [D]. It needs to be used responsibly and appropriately. If any cases sound too similar to the interview had....well...it's time to take a critical approach to the current establishment's power structure.