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important, it
provides us with an opportunity to begin looking at the implications
for the
human resource manager. There are a number of very important
sources for
each of us.
• Expertise is really in the eye of the beholder and must be expertise
which is
valued by the organization. It has to do with knowledge, it has to do
with
competence, and it has to do with professional status. It behooves the
human
resource professional to be seen as an expert in the field and for his or
her
expertise to be valued by the organization. Are you seen as an expert?
• Sanctions reflect the capacity or the potential to reward or punish.
This is
generally a very important source of power for many managers. Some
use it
wisely, others don't. As a human resource professional, what is your
capacity
to reward and/or punish people in the organization?
• Legitimacy represents the formal authority, or right we have to act in
behalf
of the organization, to direct other people, and/or to make certain
decisions.
In some organizations, such as the military, this is an important source
of
power. How much formal or functional authority do you have and
how important is it to have in your organization? POWER,
POLITICS, AND THE HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL 2 0
3 • Referent power comes from knowing someone else, from being
supported by
someone else, from being perceived as having a link to, or some
influence
over, someone in power. What kind of influence or support do you
have from