E446 D SPR22

Name:__Giovanni Fernandez
Paths to Power
Examination

Please stick to the word limits for each question. Bullets or other outline forms are
acceptable answers but must be entirely clear.

1) What was your most important personal learning from the virtual power game
and what are the implications of this for your path to power? (100 words maximum)

People in powerful positions have great responsibility. The_crux_of_what goes

wrong and well is ultimately attributed to them. I saw how the top group took the
blame, showing me that as I attain_power_having_thick_skin is necessary. I was
a bit naïve thinking that in a hierarchy, instructions pass smoothly down the
chain. If you have power, you must first set a clear goal and explain this well to
the organization. This_means_as_a leader I must be attached and close to the
thoughts of everyone.
I_cannot_just_submerge_myself_in_an_internal_circle_of_higher ups as you
become detached, and the culture of the firm and the thoughts others have of
you_becomes_toxic.

2) What one practical step can you take to maximise your non-verbal presence?
(100 words maximum)

Focus on presence to display power & influence:

1) Social distance & Eye Contact: getting closer to my audience, while keeping
eye contact is key to show I have control of the room and makes the
audience feel like it is just them and me. This strengthens my likeability and
ability to deliver compliments, both key principles of persuasion.
2) Facial expression & hand gestures: I am naturally a smiley person.
Depending on the message I want to convey I will want to either tame or
further display this. Tailoring face_&_hand expressions to my message
allows me to relate to my audience, grabbing their attention. It increases my
posture and likeability maximizing my presence.
3) We discussed four political skills – which one of these do you most need to work
on and what one thing can you do differently to make yourself more influential?
(100 words maximum)

Networking. This a weakness as I have_always_seen_networking as a

transactional activity. Even though I am aware of its importance, I find it awkward
to deliberately meet someone and develop_a_relation with_a_specific_purpose.
However, I mostly develop my ties without deliberation, meaning many people
within my network do not_provide_support_for my career goals –
a_glaring_weakness. I will be more deliberate in the weak ties I form. I will start
contacting_people based_on_career decisions. To do so I would focus_on
reciprocity. As a giving person, this will internally make networking less of a
transaction and easier for me to develop_those_ties I need.
It_also_allows_to_create_real_value of a social network.

4) What do you need to pay attention to within yourself to most effectively avoid
the dark side of power? How will you achieve this? Be specific. (100 words
maximum)

I display some narcissist symptoms so should avoid the dark side of narcissism
emerging in my actions. I would pay attention to do not have delusions of grandeur.
If I have a streak of things going my way, I start ‘feeling untouchable’ and that all
my decisions will continue to succeed. I must avoid this. Firstly, arrogant behaviour
can alienate me, affecting my likeability. Secondly, delusions of grandeur increase
risk appetite making it more likely to carelessly choose a wrong option impacting
my competence. A damage in reputation will hinder my career.

Create restraining anchors

1) Close friend/mentor who feels comfortable telling me when I am becoming
a ‘vulnerable’ narcissist unwilling to listen to opposite opinions.
2) Actively ask junior members for their input and ideas, challenging mine thus
seeing a new perspective.
3) Focus on highlighting risk in the decision-making process specially in
meetings.
4) Being self-aware; for example write a diary of my feelings and thoughts
every day to notice trends.

5) What did you personally learn from your involvement in the Lost in the Desert
Exercise – how might this learning be useful for you going forward? (100 words
maximum)

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I am more inclined to follow what others say and specially agree with them if they
have a louder voice. Even though none of us had technical expertise or formal
power over each other, the team gravitated towards those who projected ‘power’
irrespective of their technical ability, through speaking louder & first. Going forward
it showed a team, can make wrong decisions by following the stronger voice. Going
forward I will make sure to first identify group technical experts and making sure
their voice is heard. Secondly, to split the group into smaller parts to help everyone
feel more comfortable contribution. Finally, actively seeking other inputs, possibly
even play devil’s advocate to ensure we see things from all areas.

6) What is your key personal learning about the sources and tactics of power from
the Late Shift case and how can you use this on your path to power? (100 words
maximum)

My key learning is that there are many ways to skin a cat when gaining power.
Seeing how each character displayed power, and how dynamics changed as the
situation evolved was eye opening. There wasn’t a one-off recipe to keep power
and many characters power tactics, such as Helen, failed in a new position.

I will use this by firstly being self-aware on my strengths and leveraging them rather
than trying to be a chameleon. I lean towards charismatic leadership vs
inspirational. For me this means that focusing on principles of persuasion like
likeability, compliments and reciprocity will allow me to build this persona. Also, I
should aim to have authority. Expert power aligns better with charismatic power.
Finally, I must be aware that this power is stronger under critical situations and
when things are ‘calmer’ inspirational power is stronger. Being self-aware when it’s
time to go and pass the torch, would be key to avoid experiencing what happened
to Helen.

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Essay question:

You live in Notting Hill, a popular residential and shopping district of west London.
It is a hot summer’s day and you have spent the entire evening working on an
important MBA assignment, due to be turned in the next day. Not only do you have
to work in the absence of air conditioning, but you also have the distraction of a
car alarm going off every 10 minutes. A quick glance out of the window suggests
that it is an Audi parked next to your Vespa scooter.

Whilst annoying, it is not a particularly loud alarm and you are able to work through
it. You think to yourself that you should probably report it to the local council, but
given your need to get the assignment completed, you press on with your work.

The evening turns into night – it is already past midnight. Suddenly, your work is
interrupted by an angry voice outside shouting, “Shut the **** up!” followed by a
loud crash. You instantly know what has happened. You rush to the window to see
that someone has mistakenly assumed that the alarm was coming from your
Vespa and has, in a fit of anger, pushed it over.

You rush downstairs into the street. No-one is to be seen. It seems the perpetrator
has escaped – the injustice of it is infuriating. There is no CCTV on the street. The
Vespa is only a few weeks old and was in perfect condition. Now, it is scratched
badly and some of the bodywork is broken, although it is still operational. You are
furious.

Next, a man comes out of a house across the street. He explains that he is not
living there but staying in a friend’s house for one night only as he has an early
flight the next day from Heathrow and lives out of London: “I heard the shout and
the crash and looked out of the window. Whilst I didn’t see his face, I saw a figure
of a man entering the house two down from your building, slamming the door
behind him. I then saw the light go out behind the curtains in the flat on the first
floor.”

This seems like the evidence you need to find the perpetrator. Unfortunately, this
partial observer is not willing to act as a witness and refuses to give his name,
even. This is going to be as much help as you are going to get from him. He leaves.

You approach the door of the house two down from your building, which, whilst
externally matching the affluent look of adjoining properties, houses a series of
council flats (social housing), and press the bell for the first floor flat. There is no
response. You press it again. No response. You keep your finger on the buzzer for
30 seconds. Still, no response. You shout up towards the flat’s open window, ‘I
know you damaged my bike, please come down and speak to me about it.’
Nothing. You try a stronger tactic, ‘If you don’t come down, I will go to the police.’
Nothing.

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You go to the police station a few blocks away. It is around 2.30am. They inform
you that, whilst this is technically a case of criminal damage, without someone
being able to identify the suspect’s face in an identity parade, there is no chance
of a prosecution. You fill out a crime report, but it is of no practical value. It is now
around 3.30am. You are exhausted and still seething with frustration.

Question - What do you do now? Why? How is your action in this matter
informed by the theory from the course? Although it is not necessary, if you
wish to make any REASONABLE assumptions about the situation be sure to state
them clearly as such. (600 words maximum)

My overarching goal is to have a valuable crime report to discover the culprit. For
this I need the witness to declare what he saw and contact the possible perpetrator
to see if the witness declaration seems plausible – so far, I have not met him. I
would not focus on discussing further with the police. They display expert and
legitimate power; discussing further is unproductive – it is not level ground & I
cannot easily influence them to do more than what’s already done.

I would first get some rest to clear my head. To be able to influence people the
way you communicate is as important as content. Right now, I am grouchy, sleepy,
and angry. This fits poorly with any of the principles of persuasion. When I am
colder headed, I would act.

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First, I would aim to get the witness to testify what he saw. Prior meeting them I
would get some statistics/news articles on other places where similar crimes have
occurred. My goal here, while a bit unethical, would be to scare him on what sort
of things can happen if this is not reported. Thus, the articles would be biased
towards stirring negative emotions. This is important for two reasons. People are
more likely to be influenced by information coming from legitimate sources of
power, such as newspapers. Secondly, instilling emotion such as fear is a way
make them act. With this in hand I would contact him. I would try to do this casually
eg while he leaves for a walk. This is ideal, as it creates a non-threatening setting
making it more probable, he sticks around to talk.

When_influencing_I_would first focus on my presence. Closing the social distance,

keeping eye contact and smiling will make it easier to gain his trust, and make him
feel we are in this together. Then I would focus on influencing him through the 6
principles of persuasion. We are more likely to help those like us so I would try to
find similarities such as both of us being neighbours. My message would be that
something like what happened to me could happen to him. This similarity will show
he is not only helping me but the whole community. Secondly, I would try to show
reciprocity rather than authority. I have no formal power over him and I’m asking
for a favour he must not comply with. Thus reciprocity, by showing how helping me
out, I will be returning the favour by making the street and his life safer would be
key. By creating fear with the statistics and the possibility of this happening to him
(scarcity of safety), will make the reciprocity stronger.

Finally, I would try to have a strong reputation. From my persona and influencing
framework I will meet the warmth part of the framework. The competence can be
met by the crime statistics and highlighting any prestigious stuff I have. For
instance, mentioning my university, to show status and how I can get things done
will help build this.

I would use the same framework as above when contacting the perpetrator, but
the focus would be to not appear aggressive. If he is the culprit this person likely
displays qualities of the dark side of power. Attacking without fear of repercussion,
means he believes it is ok for him to operate outside the law – signs of
psychopathic behaviour. These are people you want to treat with care as they will
do everything, they can destroy you if you attack them. Thus, I would make sure I
smile and use a friendly conversation tone, so he does not feel attacked. I would
make sure to not accuse him but focus on internally concluding if he seems a likely
culprit through his body language. The purpose here, would not be make him
declare as guilty, as a psychopath does not feel this, but rather assess if the person
seems like a potential culprit. For influencing I would focus on compliments and
likeability, to see how he reacts. Social awareness through the 7 universal
emotions, would allow me to conclude how likely he is of a culprit to further pursue
this with the police.