River Woods Plant Manager

1. If you were part of the selection committee for the River Woods plant manager position, based on what you've learned about the sources of personal power in this chapter, describe what you'd consider to be the ideal candidate’s qualifications.

The selection committee should keep in mind that handling managerial positions can be an overwhelming job and also cause a great deal of stress especially in such a challenging situation as with River Woods Plant. It is in this connection that several criteria must be utilized to be able to employ the right person for the job.
The manager on this position should have what is called as personal power. Those people who have personal power are the ones who take charge and make things happen. These are the people who move when everybody else doesn’t and who succeed when everybody else tells them they will fail. However, personal power also has the connotation that it means getting what one wants no matter what. Some can even imagine personal power as using violence to get others to do what they say. People with personal power are also those who can pull up a few strings to get somebody out of trouble and can recommend other positions for deserving subordinates. They can also get fast access to top decision makers and can sometimes have new information even before its distribution.
People with power can sometimes be unbearable, unworkable, an unlivable. These are the people who, though they have personal power, should not be promoted to a position, of any sort. The person on this position should not be insensitive, abrasive, intimidating or arrogant. This kind of person could cause more damage than good. The selection committee should also be wary of the cold and aloof type of personality because you never know what they are thinking and it would be too hard for subordinates to approach this type of boss. The overly ambitious kind is also not to be hired for this position as he might always be playing politics