Organizational Power and Politics discusses Power coupled with Politics, Positive Tools used and negative tools used

Essay by mike2680University, Bachelor'sA+, March 2007

download word file, 2 pages 5.0

The definition of power is "the ability to get someone to do something you want done or the ability to make things happen in the way you want them to" (Schermerhorn, Hunt, & Osborn, 2005, p. 266 chap. 12). Corporate executives, supervisors and lead employees can customarily accomplish this. The definition of politics is a "management of influence to obtain ends not sanctioned by the organization or to obtain sanctioned ends through nonsanctioned influence means. Managers are often considered political when they seek their own goals or use means that are not currently authorized by the organization" (Schermerhorn, Hunt, & Osborn, 2005, p. 278 chap. 12). Organizational political affairs have been viewed as an organization enhancement instrument to continue and accomplish objectives. Power and politics are comparable because persuasion is what finishes things. The differences are the methods used to get the effort done. This thesis defines power coupled with politics and examines how one can use both to influence his or her workforce in a positive way, thus resulting in gain or in a negative, corruptive way, which ultimately leads to the destruction of an organization.

Power coupled with PoliticsPower and politics, though directly correlated, share similarities and differences but eventually perform collectively for the success of an organization. Has one ever speculated what position politics and power play in organizations? When used successfully they can be compatible in accomplishing the organization's goals. An effective organization focuses on strong leadership, power and political matters. These components are significant to constructing an organization attentive to values, ethics, culture and innovation. Analyzing the use of power and politics are indispensable to understanding the behavior of individuals within organizations.

Positive ToolsThere are two segments to power and politics. In one respect, power and politics can be positive tools who managers use to...