Cultivating power: ten steps to success

1. In today's decentralized organization, front line managerial competency is exemplified by the effective use of power. Managerial responsibilities require that more attention must be focused on power concepts as they pertain to Today's OR manager. 2. Acquiring power means acquiring potential influence. The OR manager, to be successful and effective, must have abilities that go beyond planning and evaluation. OR departments do not exist in a vacuum, but are part of the organizational whole. Thus, the OR manager must be able to operate within the whole hospital environment. 3. If OR managers use power wisely, it can help them achieve desired goals. Effective use of power will yield positive managerial outcomes. It will help everyone keep from being angry, frustrated, and ineffective in their roles. When used constructively, power can help OR managers actualize the potential that they and their staff members have for improving systems that affect job satisfaction and patient care.