Analyzing Power and Influence in Project Management: Acorn Industries

This report examines the application of different types of power within Acorn Industries, focusing on how project managers can influence team performance and project success. It explores the use of legitimate and referent power, discussing both positive and negative impacts. The report further analyzes how a project manager can leverage various power sources to enhance team efficiency and achieve project goals, including the use of reward and expert power. The benefits of utilizing multiple sources of influence are highlighted, and the distinction between influence and manipulation is clarified, emphasizing the ethical considerations in leadership practices. The report references key sources to support its analysis of organizational behavior and people management within the context of Acorn Industries' project-based environment.

Running head: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
Organizational Behavior and People Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

1ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
Describe one or more of the types of power, defined by Shenoy (attached), which could
be demonstrated positively or negatively by the leader of the team.
There are various types of power of Shenoy are used in Acorn Industries among
which Legitimate Power and Referent Power are discussed in this study. The team leader can
use these powers in both positive and negative way. Legitimate power is the management has
given the legitimate power by making the leader project manager of a project (Shenoy, 2013).
The manager then can use his power for the goodwill of the organization and he can misuse
his power for his own benefit by doing fraud activities with the project. Second is Referent
Power, which is used by a leader for referring someone for the organization. Using this power
the leader can refer a candidate with less quality and skills without selecting any deserving
candidate and the leader can also refer a deserving candidate, who is not getting chance to
start his career.
Further discuss how a project manager can use this type of power to impact the
performance of the project team and improve the likelihood of project success?
Using the powers of Shenoy the project manager of Acorn Industries can influence
the team performance and can increase the improvement for the project success. By using the
power, the manager can use the legitimate power for doing something potential and
sustainable to the project. By using the Reward Power, the project manager can have the
control over the budget and he will be able to plan the proper budget for the project. One
more element of this power is give rewards to the team member for motivating them so that
they can work with the project in a better way. By using the Expert Power, any problem faced
by the general project manager during the project can be resolved.
What benefits can be gained from using more than one source of influence when leading
a team?

2ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
Influence in leading a team is power and to achieve the influences for a project
success of the Acorn Industries is very important. By using the influences, the team can work
together more efficiently. Influences are in the supervisory position that can help in getting
appreciation and respect (Wong, 2007). In leading a team, there are many advantages of the
influences such as learning the skills. The influences help in building trust among the team
leader and the team members. Using the influences, it cultivates the reliability by the
consistency of the workflow. The assertiveness of the influences can extend the general
quality of the interaction with the team members. The influences help in focusing on the
action, which are required for the project rather than the argument.
Is there a difference between influence and manipulation? Justify your answer.
Influence is a process to make any person to do something that other person wants
him to do and manipulation is exerting the devious influence on a person for their own
benefits. Influence can come in various forms. Every form of influence is used by itself or the
influence can mix the methods of the influence for any stronger reaction. Influence and the
manipulation are linked closely (Shiratori et al., 2013). The difference is while a team leader
uses the manipulation process in the organization. The objectives are for introducing the
discomfort, anxiety and stress to the target of the people, who are being manipulated. This is
done to achieve own desire goals. Influence is, when any member of the team has the ability
for persuading other person. Influence can be positive influence on any team member.
However, the manipulation implies the pretense, cloaking and the undercurrent situation.

3ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
References
Creasy, T., & Anantatmula, V. S. (2013). From every direction—How personality traits and
dimensions of project managers can conceptually affect project success. Project
Management Journal, 44(6), 36-51.
Shenoy, S. (2013). 14 Types of Power You Can Use as a Project
Manager!. Pmexamsmartnotes.com. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from
https://www.pmexamsmartnotes.com/5-types-of-power-to-a-project-manager/
Shiratori, F. K., do Valle, A. L., Pegoraro, T. A., Carvalho, R. M., & Pereira, J. R. (2013).
Influence of technique and manipulation on self-adhesive resin cements used to
cement intraradicular posts. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry, 110(1), 56-60.
Wong, Z. (2007). Human factors in project management: concepts, tools, and techniques for
inspiring teamwork and motivation. John Wiley & Sons.