Organisational Politics

Question 1

What is the definition of organisational politics?

Answer 1

• (def.) Doing things for personal gain, at the expense of others
• (broader def.) If Org politics is just using power and influence over people, then:
• -> It can be used negatively or positively

Question 2

What is the business impact of office politics?

Answer 2

More money lost to companies due to negative org politics than the decrease in market share or sales turnover

Question 3

What are the business impacts of office politics?

Answer 3

• People act for their own self-interests, at the expense of the company
• Decrease resources
• Decrease moral and hence productivity
• Positive org politics is beneficial to a company

Question 4

What is the definition of positive organisational politics?

Answer 4

• (def.) Positive Politics: The use of power and influence over people:
• -> to protect or increase the interests of self or others (others: your team, organisation)
• -> without intentionally harming others’ influence

Question 5

What is an example of positive organisational politics?

Answer 5

• Eg. One manager request special facilities for own use

- It is beneficial to an organisation when there is an organisational culture of positive politics

Question 6

Is it hard to distinguish positive and negative organisational politics?

Answer 6

• Hard to distinguish positive and negative politics

- -> Don’t know if they’re doing it for their own good or for others

Question 7

Who is Michael Bloomberg? And what organisational politics did he show?

Answer 7

Eg. Michael Bloomberg (media mogul, ex-Mayor of NYC)

• -> Grew up to have a strong ethic
• -> Started work for Salomon Brothers in 1966
• -> Started work early and became good friends with the boss
• -> Stayed late at work and became friends with 2nd in charge
• -> He rose rapidly to become a partner in only 6 years
• -> POSITIVE ORGANISATIONAL POLITICS – he did not set out to harm others’ interests

Question 8

As a leader, why is it important to use positive organisational politics?

Answer 8

As a leader, it is important to use positive politics for:

• Your own career path
• The interests of your followers (in your team or department)
• Building a good corporate culture overall

Question 9

How can you learn to use organisational politics positively?

Answer 9

How can you learn to use politics positively?
1. Observe people who do it well

2. Be clear about your own values (be an authentic leader) – what is acceptable and not?
3. Continue work on your image and influence over others
4. Build networks and use the grapevine (informal communication in an organisation)
5. Learn the value of resources for different people or departments
   (Not always about money)
6. Anticipate how people will react to you

Question 10

What is the definition of negative organisational politics?

Answer 10

• (def.) Negative politics: The use of power and influence and doing things for personal gain at the expense of others (knowingly)
• Eg. One manager over-booking facilities for own use knowing that others might miss out, but intent on having what s/he needs for his/her managerial work

Question 11

How can you best avoid or handle negative politics?

Answer 11

1. Use the grapevine
   - Know what people are talking about
   - Helps you avoid being the victim of negative politics
2. Find out who has power in your organisation
   - Who has the personal power
   - Who are the central people in the grapevine
   - Who actually control resources
   - Sometimes admin people
3. Anticipate what people might do for their self-interest
4. Sometimes it is best to accept it (for now)
5. Avoid “Bootlicking”! (eg. go out of your way to flatter people because ppl are not stupid)
   - -> Or ingratiating yourself with your manager can result in short term approval but it will not necessarily benefit you in the long term

Question 12

What is empathy and what is its impact on organisational politics?

Answer 12

• Empathy is not sympathy
• Empathy is understanding things from another person’s perspective. Do this by getting into their shoes
• Empathy is an ability that can be learned, to a certain extent
• -> Part of social intelligence
• Empathy can help handle organisational politics as it helps us anticipate how others will feel and react

Question 13

What is the importance of making the distinction between negative and positive organisational politics?

Answer 13

• Research and common sense tells us that if we aim to play positive politics, it’s good for us and the organisation
• If we play negative politics, it’s not good for the organisation and, ultimately, not good for us either

Question 14

Managing organisational politics is largely about?

Answer 14

• Using power and influence appropriately
• Our intentions (the perceptions of those intentions)