Module 5 discussion
This discussion is oriented around the material in Chapter
11 and also draws on the concepts from Chapters 10 and 12.
1. Using the dimensions of empowerment in the book (pages
412-417), analyze and describe the degree to which people in your work
environment are empowered. Then, review the first box in Figure 12.3 and
describe the approach your supervisor or manager uses when making key
decisions. Finally, with respect to both participation in decision-making and
team member empowerment, what strategies would you change if you were the
manager of your or another organization? Consider all of Figure 12.3 and pages
366-368 in Chapter 10.
2. Do you think of yourself as powerful, powerless, or a
little of both? Explain your basis for these perceptions? In your answer
integrate the specific symbols of power in the textbook (pages 403-404).
3. Who is the most powerful person you know personally? What
makes this person so powerful? Does this person’s power use empowerment as a
tool or do they make all the decisions? In your answer use French and Raven’s
five specific interpersonal forms of power (pages 397-398), and the textbook’s
addition of “information power” (page 398) to assist you in your
analysis.
