Power as a Control Device Essay (Critical Writing)

The importance of effective communication is universally acknowledged and a lot of research has been taken on the subject and numerous books written so as to help people improve their skills so as to make them more effective in their communication efforts. There are various factors that one should consider when setting up effective communication strategies. The strategy adopted is especially significant since it may result in the success or failure of the communication efforts.

However, merely implementing communication strategies and tools may not be enough. As such, some level of authority has to be included in all communication efforts to ensure compliance from the people who are being communicated to. In this regard, we shall examine ‘power’ as a control tool that is used to impose order and authority in organizational communication. To this end, a discussion that portrays power as a tool for control shall be presented.

Total disregard for organizational policies, rules and regulations by employees has in the recent past been a major concern to many business leaders and analysts.

Not only does this non-compliance threaten the success of the organization but, it also undermines the chain of authority that is in most cases instituted to govern and control business practices. Jackson & Carter (2007) say that “power is about getting someone to do something irrespective of their desire to do it or the extent of their resistance to doing it, while authority rests on the assumption that the person is willing to obey” (p. 97).

As such, the use of ‘power’ as a control tool ensures that people do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it, at the right place and most importantly, in the right manner. From an organizational perspective, power can be defined as the ability of an individual to make others do something that they would otherwise not have done.

The logic behind this definition can be deduced from the fact that we work and learn because there is an external force that influences us to do so. Given a perfect situation where everything is available, we would prefer to just stay at home doing nothing.

The concept of ‘power’ has its root in the concept of property rights. The point is that, according to Jackson & Carter (2007), “property rights represent a deeply embedded value, certainly in the capitalist world” (p. 94). This concept emphasizes on the much debated topic of who owns what and how such ownership can be ascertained.

Arguably, the fact that one claims ownership over a particular property gives that person the right to dictate how the property is to be managed. As such, it can authoritatively be stated that the owner has the power to dictate who does what, how particular tasks should be carried out and in what manner. This is what is known as the power of ownership and as has been demonstrated, it gives the owner the ability to control the property.

As mentioned earlier, rules, regulations and guidelines are set to ensure that tasks are executed in a timely and efficient manner. Considering that in most cases people do not like being told what or when to do things, managers and other authoritative personnel are employed to enforce compliance. Simply put, they have the power to control other employees’ conduct. However, it should be noted that there is a great difference between power and authority.

While power demands a person to do something regardless of his/her own desire, authority is based on the assumption that following and obeying certain instructions is a sign of compliance towards the rights of the instructor. In this context, managers and other persons in authority are viewed as facilitators who provide an ideal environment to workers who are willing to execute tasks, but are unsure of how they can achieve this.

The creation of wealth is of great importance to national building. However this cannot be achieved if people do not behave as expected. Jackson & Carter (2007) underline the fact that “in any society it is necessary for people to produce as much wealth as they consume” (p. 102).

Organizations ensure that such aims are achieved by implementing disciplinary power. As such, disciplinary power is a governance tool through which the creation of wealth is achieved by people who behave in a prescribed manner. Similarly, success in organizations can be guaranteed only if there is a hierarchy through which power is exercised. Hierarchical power refers to a situation where people have a prescribed amount of control over others.

As has been demonstrated herein, power is an essential tool for promoting control. It ensures that employees behave accordingly, comply to set rules and regulations, avoid misconceptions and unethical conducts and respect their jobs and positions in an organization.

While people are arguably resistant in nature, having a ‘power’ structure in an organization ensures that they compromise and logically evaluate their options in regard to attaining their personal goals. Though Jackson & Carter (2007) admit that “there may be some legal restrictions on what an owner, or manager, can demand, such as health and safety regulations, and, certainly, employees can try to modify these demands, to a greater or lesser extent” (p. 96).

Considering the economy we are in presently, we have to work if we are to make ends meet. This means that we go to work each day so that we can make the much needed money. Having power matrices ensure that people ethically achieve this personal aim and at the same time enables organizations to attain their set goals and objectives.

This paper sets out to illustrate power as a control tool. Examples of different forms of power have been provided and their effectiveness in promoting control given. However, it should be noted that misuse of power may lead to devastating consequences. As such, it is recommended that organizational leaders find balance as they exercise their authority to avoid leading the organization into failure.

Reference

Jackson, N & Carter, P 2007, Rethinking organizational behavior: A poststructuralist framework. Pearson Education, Harlow.