Holograms & Communication
Communication
and Power
Power
Sources
Although we are relatively equal as a species, everyone has personal power sources relative to others in the world. Throughout our lives, we gather power sources to gain our human needs. Hocker and Wilmot(1991) define four categories of power currencies; expertise, control of resources, interpersonal linkages, and communication skills. A person with power in any of these areas has a higher probability that they will have these needs met.
An example of relativity in power would be the case of a manager who has relatively more personal power than a line worker, but little power in relation to an executive. But, the line worker may have more technical experience than the executive, and would have more relative power in that instance. The main point is that power is relative to each person in each situation.
Besides being relative to whom you are directly dealing with, power can only be used if the other party values it. Power must be endorsed by the other person. This is crucial. You can't use your power if the other person doesn't recognize it. So, personal power is perceived power.
