Paradoxical Thinking

Effective influence requires a broad base of approaches and tactics. Traditional research on power and influence has identified a number of tactics that can be used to influence others (Falbe & Yukl, 1992). Different tactics may be appropriate in different situations, depending on the circumstances. Many common influence tactics depend on the elements of position power. For example:

Legitimate Authority: Giving directions with the expectation that they will be carried out.

I use that all the time, I give job to my workers and they will finish it in a specified period of time.

Upward appeal: Giving directions and indicating that they are what higher management wants to be done.

It happen a couple of times. I told my guys that they need to come on weekend as we need to finish batches because higher management needs to ship it on Monday.

Co-optation: Inviting a recalcitrant individual into a group to attempt to change their perspective.

I moved some guys from pre-weigh area to compounding to show them they are doing far easy work for almost the same pay. I told them that they should finish batches pre-weigh quickly otherwise they will be transferred to compounding.

Bargaining/Exchange: offering a reward or incentive for following a directive

Pressure/Coercion: Threatening a punitive action if the directive is not followed.

This is actually done by my new boss to me. He took me to my older boss who is his boss also and told him that I should listen to my new boss, otherwise he will get me fired.