Influencing Group Communication

Influencing Group Communication

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In this paper there will be a discussion on different power bases within group communication. These bases will be defined and then used in real world scenarios.

In business communication there are five base powers. The first one is coercive power. Coercive power is used in the workplace to as negative reinforcement when some project or deadline is not met. This form of punishment or power is the least effective because when one is treated negatively they tend to give negative results. I have used this only once in my management career. We were to reset some stores with the merchandise we have and there were a few that were placed on suspension because of not complying with the deadline. The suspension did not change any type of attitude the merchandisers had towards their work. The merchandiser still did a poor job.

Reward power is a power in which a superior may reward a subordinate for doing a good job. Negative reinforcement is taken away and the subordinate is receiving something of value to him or her. I have used the reward power myself in my management career. I would take a dollar and place it in the rack that the merchandiser was working on to see if they indeed were doing their job. This was a positive reinforcement for keeping their workplace clean.

Legitimate power is a form of control that a superior has because of the formal hierarchy of the company. This power is a strict chain of command in most businesses. There are subordinates, supervisors or team leaders, managers and upper management in larger companies. I am considered a district manager because my company is split into three districts here in my state. Legitimate power in my opinion can be best described in law enforcement. Policemen or women have a legitimate power over civilians to make sure that one is in compliance with the law. All three of these powers, coercive, reward and legitimate are forms of...