Workplace Politics

In his book Hardball, Chris Matthews discusses the useful strategies for getting ahead in politics that he observed during his time working in Washington, D.C. He breaks up his observations into chapters with different lessons. Three of the most important lessons are “It's Not Who You Know; It's Who You Get to Know,” (Chapter 1) “All Politics is Local,” (Chapter 2) and “Dance With the One That Brung Ya.” (Chapter 4). These chapters illustrate how important making and keeping connections and relationships is in Washington. The “game of politics” is played by using these relationships to gain favors, votes, support, etc. According to Matthews, the people who get ahead are the ones who make and keep these important connections and relationships with other politicians and the public.

One of the reasons people communicate is to understand each other. Understanding is a big part of communication as you have to understand what people problems may be, but also to take on board their views and opinions on the situation to be in a position to hopefully sort out their underlying problems.

Bolman and Deal (2013) stated that in the political model individuals competed for power and scarce resources. Bolman and Deal also noted that conflicts were common because needs and perspectives were different between individuals. Degn (2015) noted that managers attempted to sell a message and gain influence from individuals to obtain a certain goal. According to Bolman and Deal (2013), power can be concentrated in the wrong place, so goals were not completed.

Political Activity is alive and well in organisations – one of the biggest killers of productivity is not a lack of innovation, productive systems or visionary thinking, its politics (Fraser, 2013, p. 1). It is a major issue in organisations as the individual who controls their working relationship consumes time and resources for their own gain at the company’s expense. In this

in politics, and even individuals in administration, are destined to get “dirty hands.” The concept implicates that individuals who interact in either of these realms cannot help but engage in conduct that is either unethical or, at the very least, less than desirable. Although, many researchers acknowledge that there does exist separate meaning between the roles of political constituents and administrative staff, many believe there are also plenty of similarities. In examining the political/administrative dichotomy, researchers have found extreme overlap in some instances, which emphasizes the probability that administrative staff can also find themselves with dirty hands. Many argue that it is absolutely necessary, in some instances, for individuals to act deceptively with a lack of transparency in order to reach ultimate goals with desirable ends. These ends might include advancing the bigger goals of the organization or preventing the fall of the organization as a whole. However, the

Politics in Our Daily Lives (graded)As we read and discuss the definition of politics, let’s also consider the consequences of political decisions upon our daily routines.

The Oxford Dictionary defines politics as the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. Comparative politics is the interdisciplinary study of how power is organized across time and space. It connects the operation of power across multiple time and spatial scales and identifies the similarities and differences of how power operates across space and time.

A manager needs to understand the interdependency of departments, internal partnerships, and the influence of power and politics to effectively manage across the organization. Effective managers use various political tactics to increase their power within the organization to coordinate and support the work of their peers and subordinates to meet company objectives. Managers regularly acquire and use power. Power-oriented behavior has an impact on managerial career progress, on job performance, on organizational effectiveness, and on the personal lives of employees (Obholzer, 1995). It involves the combined topics of power, influence, authority, and organizational politics. When running an organization, all these

There are several different powers in any organization but it is something very prevalent at GEICO. In the beginning of my career at GEICO I did not have much power at all but after building confidence and recognition through the company I have some power in my office. I am working on getting legitimate power but at this time I have plenty of connection power and charismatic power. I have several connections at GEICO. My trainer at GEICO who I connected with as soon as I was hired is now the sales manager. My old boss is now a rotational manager. A supervisor I spoke with on a regular basis is now a performance coach in service. My former Quality Assurance boss is now a director in Arizona, and I am connected with the Vice President of the company. I did all this by working hard but also having the ability to attract people to me. I attempt to be a warm and welcoming person, but at the same time very driven and focused. Through my time at GEICO I have really developed my connection power and soon enough that connection power will develop into legitimate power once I become a sales supervisor.

You work as an external consultant specializing in understanding how internal politics impact organizational effectiveness. Recently, you 've been contracted to diagnose the political culture of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) operating medical clinics and hospitals throughout Minnesota. Using Bolman & Deal 's political frame describe (in paragraph form) what you will seek to learn regarding the organization 's political culture.

Politics in itself is a means to an end, in which case the end is the formation of a public policy. It is the process of trying to influence the decision makers in order to implement changes that will improve the lives of communities, populations and clients (Godfrey 84). In short, politics refers to

Politics is about the distribution of power. In the Introduction to Social Science course guide it is stated that, “politics can be anywhere”. Therefore, politics is in the language we speak. Power is the “ ability to

Power is central to politics and political action. The Oxford Dictionaries (2016) characterize politics as “the principles relating to or inherent in a sphere or activity,

Have you ever wondered what role politics and power play in organizations? When used effectively they can be compatible in reaching the organizations goals. Power is defined as the ability to get someone to do something you want done or the ability to make things happen in the way you want them. (Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn, Chap. 15). Power is important within organizations because it is the way in which management influences individuals to make things happen. When power and influence combine, most of the time 'politics' become involved in some manner which may pose some problems. Organizational politics is best described as management influenced by self-interest through the use

* Political science in explaining how power struggles between groups within organisations can stem from variances in performance and agendas.