Power and Influence - by John P Kotter (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In today's complex work world, things no longer get done simply because someone issues an order and someone else follows it.

Most of us work in socially intricate organizations where we need the help not only of subordinates but of colleagues, superiors, and outsiders to accomplish our goals. This often leaves us in a "power gap" because we must depend on people over whom we have little or no explicit control.

This is a book about how to bridge that gap: how to exercise the power and influence you need to get things done through others when your responsibilities exceed your formal authority.

Full of original ideas and expert insights about how organizations--and the people in them--function, Power and Influence goes further, demonstrating that lower-level personnel also need strong leadership skills and interpersonal know-how to perform well.

Kotter shows how you can develop sufficient resources of "unofficial" power and influence to achieve goals, steer clear of conflicts, foster creative team behavior, and gain the cooperation and support you need from subordinates, coworkers, superiors--even people outside your department or organization.

He also shows how you can avoid the twin traps of naivete and cynicism when dealing with power relationships, and how to use your power without abusing it.

Power and Influence is essential for top managers who need to overcome the infighting, foot-dragging, and politicking that can destroy both morale and profits; for middle managers who don't want their careers sidetracked by unproductive power struggles; for professionals hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and deadline delays; and for staff workers who have to "manage the boss."

This is not a book for those who want to "grab" power for their own ends. But if you'd like to create smooth, responsive working relationships and increase your personal effectiveness on the job, Kotter can show you how--and make the dynamics of power work for you instead of against you.

Review Quotes

Adam Aron System Director--Marketing, Pan American World Airways ""POWER AND INFLUENCE" provides brilliant insight into the true nature of the organization. It's about time we all realize that it is "people"--with all their frailties and foibles--that run organizations. The movers and shakers in this world have all learned that the art of understanding people is the greatest business skill there is.

Allan Cox President, Allan Cox & Associates, Inc. There is the meaning of authority, which we understand pretty well, and the meaning of influence, which we don't. But more important than either is the ability to exercise the power of influence. That's what "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is about. Anyone who takes to heart the lessons of this penetrating book will be sure to enrich his or her ability in this most important area.

B. Lyle Shafer Vice President--Personnel Resources NCR Corporation John Kotter has isolated, defined, and articulated one of the most elusive and misunderstood aspects of management. "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is must reading for all staff managers.

John R. Murphy Director, Executive and Advanced Management Education, GTE Corporation John Kotter does two remarkable things in this book. First, he puts his finger on what has been making many of us so uncomfortable with the popularized notions of excellence: It is not that we lack excellence in our organizations --what we lack is enough managers with the power to mobilize various groups and interests to allow this excellence to shine. Second, he liberates the concept of power from the traditional "anything goes" definition and lays out a brilliantly clear personal strategy for capturing the only legitimate, real power in an organization--the ability to get things done.

Leslie L. Vadasz Senior Vice President, Intel Corporation I really enjoyed this book! Kotter describes complex issues clearly, but without oversimplification. I will certainly recommend "POWER AND INFLUENCE" to my colleagues.

Adam AronSystem Director--Marketing, Pan American World Airways""POWER AND INFLUENCE" provides brilliant insight into the true nature of the organization. It's about time we all realize that it is "people"--with all their frailties and foibles--that run organizations. The movers and shakers in this world have all learned that the art of understanding people is the greatest business skill there is.

Allan CoxPresident, Allan Cox & Associates, Inc.There is the meaning of authority, which we understand pretty well, and the meaning of influence, which we don't. But more important than either is the ability to exercise the power of influence. That's what "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is about. Anyone who takes to heart the lessons of this penetrating book will be sure to enrich his or her ability in this most important area.

B. Lyle ShaferVice President--Personnel Resources NCR CorporationJohn Kotter has isolated, defined, and articulated one of the most elusive and misunderstood aspects of management. "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is must reading for all staff managers.

John R. MurphyDirector, Executive and Advanced Management Education, GTE CorporationJohn Kotter does two remarkable things in this book. First, he puts his finger on what has been making many of us so uncomfortable with the popularized notions of excellence: It is not that we lack excellence in our organizations --what we lack is enough managers with the power to mobilize various groups and interests to allow this excellence to shine. Second, he liberates the concept of power from the traditional "anything goes" definition and lays out a brilliantly clear personal strategy for capturing the only legitimate, real power in an organization--the ability to get things done.

Leslie L. VadaszSenior Vice President, Intel CorporationI really enjoyed this book! Kotter describes complex issues clearly, but without oversimplification. I will certainly recommend "POWER AND INFLUENCE" to my colleagues.

Adam Aron

System Director-- Marketing, Pan American World Airways

""POWER AND INFLUENCE" provides brilliant insight into the true nature of the organization. It's about time we all realize that it is "people"-- with all their frailties and foibles-- that run organizations. The movers and shakers in this world have all learned that the art of understanding people is the greatest business skill there is.

Allan Cox

President, Allan Cox & Associates, Inc.

There is the meaning of authority, which we understand pretty well, and the meaning of influence, which we don't. But more important than either is the ability to exercise the power of influence. That's what "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is about. Anyone who takes to heart the lessons of this penetrating book will be sure to enrich his or her ability in this most important area.

B. Lyle Shafer

Vice President-- Personnel Resources NCR Corporation

John Kotter has isolated, defined, and articulated one of the most elusive and misunderstood aspects of management. "POWER AND INFLUENCE" is must reading for all staff managers.

John R. Murphy

Director, Executive and Advanced Management Education, GTE Corporation

John Kotter does two remarkable things in this book. First, he puts his finger on what has been making many of us so uncomfortable with the popularized notions of excellence: It is not that we lack excellence in our organizations -- what we lack is enough managers with the power to mobilize various groups and interests to allow this excellence to shine. Second, he liberates the concept of power from the traditional "anything goes" definition and lays out a brilliantly clear personal strategy for capturing the only legitimate, real power in an organization-- the ability to get things done.

Leslie L. Vadasz

Senior Vice President, Intel Corporation

About the Author

John P. Kotter is Chairman of the Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Area at the Harvard Business School. He has won McKinsey awards for two Harvard Business Review articles, "Managing Your Boss" and "Power, Dependence, and Effective Management," and received the 1977 Exxon Award for innovative curriculum design for developing the Self-Assessment and Career Development program at the Harvard Business School. Kotter is author of six books, including The General Managers (also published by The Free Press).