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How politics and power influence an organization and its culture.
Examine how politics and power influence an organization and its culture.
In business, power, and politics greatly influence an organization's culture and may hinder organizational productivity. As you continue to explore ways to increase productivity in your department, you observed how power and politics influence the corporate culture and the need to address the overall challenges within the organization. Based on your research, you will develop a proposal for your manager on how politics and power can influence the organization's culture positively.
Instructions Write a 5–7 page double-spaced paper that addresses the following:
Influence of Politics and Power: Describe the importance of understanding the dynamic of power and politics within the organization. Explain how politics and power may influence the organization's culture. Sources of Power: Discuss at least one source of power that could be applied to influence the department and improve organizational performance. You will select and research one source of power to formulate your individualized approach to this question. Do not submit the definition of all the sources of power. Explain how management could use this influence to benefit the department and improve organizational performance. Leadership Behavior and Culture: Propose recommendations that support how the study of power and politics could influence leadership behavior and improve the organization's culture. Leadership Influence: Discuss the importance and complexity of leadership behavior and how it influences organizational structure and performance.
Sample Answer
The Strategic Influence of Power and Politics on Organizational Culture
Understanding the dynamics of power and politics is crucial for navigating any organization. While often viewed negatively, these forces are fundamental to how resources are allocated, decisions are made, and influence is exerted. This paper will examine how power and politics shape organizational culture and propose strategies for leveraging these dynamics positively to enhance productivity and organizational performance.
1. Influence of Politics and Power
A. The Importance of Understanding the Dynamic of Power and Politics
The dynamic of power and politics is essential to understand because it constitutes the informal structure of an organization, often determining outcomes more profoundly than the formal hierarchy.
Decision-Making Realities: Politics dictates whose voice is heard, whose proposals are accepted, and who receives resources. Understanding this allows managers to anticipate resistance, identify key influencers, and build necessary coalitions to successfully implement change.
Resource Allocation: Power is inherently linked to control over organizational resources (budget, talent, information). Recognizing where power resides helps managers lobby effectively for their department's needs and prioritize projects based on strategic influence rather than just merit.
Cultural Interpretation: Political behavior provides a lens through which employees interpret management's intentions. If decisions appear self-serving or biased, it breeds cynicism and mistrust, directly eroding a positive culture.3 Conversely, if power is used transparently and equitably, it reinforces fairness.
Proactive Management: By understanding the political landscape, a manager can move from being a reactive participant to a proactive architect, using their own influence to champion departmental interests and align organizational goals.
B. How Politics and Power May Influence the Organization's Culture
Organizational politics and power dynamics directly shape the prevailing norms, values, and behaviors, thus defining the organizational culture.4
Dynamic
Influence on Culture
Resulting Cultural Norms
Use of Power (Positive)
When legitimate power is exercised fairly and referent power fosters trust, it promotes a culture of ethical behavior and collaboration.
Openness and Psychological Safety: Employees feel safe to contribute ideas and challenge the status quo without fear of retribution.
Use of Power (Negative)
When coercive power is dominant or reward power is applied arbitrarily, it generates fear and competition.
Cynicism and Distrust: Employees focus on self-preservation, hoarding information, and avoiding accountability, leading to poor communication and reduced risk-taking.
Political Activity (Positive)
When political skill is used to build coalitions for innovation or advocate for employee needs, it empowers action.
Innovation and Advocacy: A focus on external and internal influencing for the collective good, driving productive change.
Political Activity (Negative)
When political maneuvers are focused on self-interest, backstabbing, or rumor-mongering, it shifts employee focus away from organizational goals.
Internal Competition and Hindered Productivity: Employee energy is diverted to political maneuvering and defending turf, directly impacting departmental output.
In essence, power determines who gets what, and politics determines how they get it. The perceived fairness and transparency of these processes define whether the culture is productive and trusting, or toxic and competitive.
2. Sources of Power
To influence the department positively and improve organizational performance, a manager can strategically apply Referent Power.5 Referent power is particularly effective in today's knowledge-based organizations where employee commitment is often voluntary and highly influenced by personal relationships.