What do you think?
1. What forms of interpersonal power does Larry Ellison use and how does he use them?
Larry Ellison uses coercive power to create unpleasant experiences for the companies and people he wants to control or acquire. Ellison also has some expert power with the knowledge of the industry and specialized skills in running a successful company.
2. How do the two faces of power relate to Larry Ellison's actions?
In the two faces of power, Larry Ellison uses the wrong versus the right kind of power in his business dealings and the way he runs Oracle. Ellison's use of personal power, which is the negative face of power focused on what he can gain personally rather than what is best for the organization or business community. The use of wrong power can lead to legal issues or mistrust among colleagues or business associates.
3. Does Larry Ellison use power ethically? Explain your answer.
I believe Larry Ellison uses power in an unethical manner. A good example is when Ellison blasted the HP Board of Directors for firing their CEO over allegations of sexual assault, and then hiring Hurd to work at Oracle. Ellison steps beyond business and uses personal attacks on the CEO's and Board of Directors of other companies to try to obtain a competitive advantage. Ethical business practices can be done with a hard business plan, but personal attacks and win at all costs by doing anything possible to win, constitutes unethical business practices.
4. What influence tactics does Larry Ellison use? How does he use these influences tactics?
Ellison tries to affect the behaviors and thoughts of others by downward influencing the employees who work for Oracle by establishing a work environment where there are only winners and losers rather than a collegial environment where everyone works together for the success of the company. Ellison uses lateral power when he is pursuing and acquiring other businesses or attack other company's CEO and Board of directors.
5. Does Larry Ellison use power effectively? Explain your answer.
Larry Ellison has been very successful in using available power to acquire businesses and grow Oracle. His techniques to select and pursue companies he wants to acquire shows a strong sense of understanding how power can be used to get what he targets. Through the takeovers and acquisitions Ellison has proven his ability to use his power effectively.
6. In your own future career, would you be willing to emulate Larry Ellison's behavior? Why or Why not?
I would not emulate Larry Ellison's behavior in my career. While the quest for success and power are admirable, I would not be comfortable in using the behaviors of Ellison form the combative mode against his competition to gain a competitive advantage. You can be successful by being a strong competitor and using ethical tactics to build a successful company. The other consideration is if your employees see that the CEO excels using unethical behavior or unethical tactics, then this gives the employees the implied approval to act in the same manner as your leader.