Workplace politics
Workplace politics is the process and behavior that in human interactions involves
- access to tangible assets
- or intangible benefits such as status
- pseudo-authority that influences the behavior of others
Positive politics are behaviors that are designed to influence others with the goal of helping both the organization and the person playing the politics.[4] Examples of positive politics include portraying a professional image, publicizing one's accomplishments,[clarification needed] volunteering, and complimenting others.[5] On the other hand, organizational politics can increase efficiency,[citation needed] form interpersonal relationships, expedite change, and profit the organization and its members simultaneously.[citation needed] Both individuals and groups may engage in office politics[6] which can be highly destructive, as people focus on personal gains at the expense of the organization. "Self-serving political actions can negatively influence our social groupings, cooperation, information sharing, and many other organizational functions."[7] Thus it is vital to pay attention to organizational politics and create the right political landscape.[citation needed] Negative politics are designed to achieve personal gain at the expense of others and the organization.[8] Examples of negative politics are spreading rumors, talking behind someone’s back, and not telling someone important information.[9] "Politics is the lubricant that oils your organization's internal gears."[10] John Eldred has characterized politics as "simply how power gets worked out on a practical, day-to-day basis."[11]
Psychologist Oliver James identifies the dark triadic personality traits (psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism) as of central significance in understanding office politics.[12]
The political landscape
Political landscape is a set of hierarchies that link the political players together. In other words, political landscape is what defines relationships between colleagues at a given time. Drafting of this landscape begins with the leaders of the organization influencing the formal hierarchy; which defines the reporting structure and indicates the political setup of the organization as it was initially intended. Organizational hierarchies, each members with its own unique political challenges, depend on many factors of the given organization. Said factors include organizational goals, size of the organization, number of resources available and the type of leaders within the organization. Political landscape will change as individuals are introduced into the organizational mix. During the process of working together an informal hierarchy is established. The main link between individuals on a political landscape is the access to-in addition to-the flow of information. This hierarchy can be identified by applying numerical values to relationships in proportion to how much two individuals rate and value one another. The sum value of these relating to an individual establishes the place on the hierarchy. Two or more people estimating relationships and merging results can produce more certain results. People quickly realize who the boss is, whom they depend on for valuable information, and who knows all the office gossip. It is very important to recognize where you fit in this landscape and what power and influence you have within the organization. It is important not only to use that power in pursuit of the organization's goals, but also to ensure others do not abuse it. "Each player in the organization has a role in the politics that grease the wheels of getting things done."[10]
Gossip
Office politics differs from
Manipulation
At the root of office politics is the issue of
Aims
The aims of office politics or manipulation in the workplace are not always increased pay or a promotion. Often, the goal may simply be greater power or control for its own end; or to discredit a competitor. Office politics do not necessarily stem from purely selfish gains. They can be a route towards corporate benefits, which give a leg up to the company as a whole, not just an individual. "A 'manipulator' will often achieve career or personal goals by co-opting as many colleagues as possible into their plans."[14] Despite the fact that the hidden agenda is a personal victory, allying with unsuspecting co-workers strengthens the manipulator's personal position and ensures that they will be the last person accused of wrongdoing.
Issues
Office politics is a major issue in business because the individuals who manipulate their working relationships consume time and resources for their own gain at the expense of the team or company.
In addition to this problem, the practice of office politics can have an even more serious effect on major business processes such as strategy formation, budget setting, performance management, and leadership. This occurs because when individuals are playing office politics, it interferes with the information flow of a company. Information can be distorted, misdirected, or suppressed, in order to manipulate a situation for short-term personal gain.[15]
Games
One way of analyzing office politics in more detail is to view it as a series of games.[16] These games can be analyzed and described in terms of the type of game and the payoff. Interpersonal games are games that are played between peers (for example the game of "No Bad News" where individuals suppress negative information, and the payoff is not risking upsetting someone); leadership games are played between supervisor and employee (for example the game of "Divide and Conquer" where the supervisor sets his employees against each other, with the payoff that none threatens his power base); and budget games are played with the resources of an organization (for example the game of "Sandbagging" where individuals negotiate a low sales target, and the payoff is a bigger bonus).[15]
Dealing with organizational politics
Organizational politics is itself similar to a game, one that requires an assumption of risks just like any contact sport. "It must be played with diligence and a full understanding of the landscape, players and rules."[10] "The dynamics of the situation should always dictate a reexamination of the players and how they fit into the landscape."[10] One must be careful relying on alliances made on previous circumstances; once the situation changes, alliances need to be reassessed. Building strong alliances will maximize the efficiency of the collective political radar and alert you before conflicts arise. In time of conflict, data-driven employees who rely on hard facts will have an easier time diffusing political conflicts. Always looking out for the best interests of your company is a certain way to ensure that your motivation will remain unquestioned. L.A. Witt, from the University of New Orleans, through his findings, believes that if supervisors were to mold employee values to match their own, it would protect employees from the negative effects of organizational politics and help improve their performance.[17]
See also
- Coworker backstabbing
- Cronyism
- Gaming the system
- Nepotism
- One-upmanship
- Parkinson's law
- Psychological manipulation
- Social network
- Trade union
- Working condition
- Workplace bullying
- Workplace democracy
References
- ^ Musa, Dr. Sam. "Tip Sheet for Leaders on Politics".
Organizational politics and leadership are deeply linked. [...] Organizational politics, on the other hand, is the process and behavior in human interactions involving power and authority.
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(help) - ISBN 9781305465282.
Organizational politics are self-serving behaviors employees use to increase the probability of obtaining positive outcomes in organizations.
- ^ "Organizational Politics". WebFinance, Inc. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^
Aamodt, Michael (2015). Industrial/Organizational Psychology: An applied approach (8th ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning. p. 549. ISBN 9781305465282.
Positive politics are behaviors designed to influence others with the goal of helping both the organization and the person playing the politics.
- ^
Aamodt, Michael (2015). Industrial/Organizational Psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 549. ISBN 9781305465282.
Examples of positive politics include portraying a professional image, publicizing one's accomplishments, volunteering, and complimenting others.
- ^ Marilyn Haight, Office Politics, BigBadBoss.com
- ^ Larsen, James. "Business Psychology - Latest Findings". Supervision Findings. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^
Aamodt, Michael (2015). Industrial/Organizational Psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 549. ISBN 9781305465282.
Negative politics are manipulative behaviors designed to achieve personal gain at the expense of others and the organization [...].
- ^
Aamodt, Michael (2015). Industrial/Organizational Psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN 9781305465282.
Examples of negative politics include backstabbing, withholding important information from others, and spreading rumors.
- ^ a b c d Bolander, Jarie (28 February 2011). "How to Deal with Organizational Politics". The Daily MBA. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^ Compare:
Lebarre, Polly (September 1999). "The New Face of Office Politics". Fast Company.com. Mansueto Ventures, LLC.
'Politics is simply how power gets worked out on a practical, day-to-day basis,' says John Eldred, 56, a teacher and a consultant.
- ^ James, Oliver (2013). Office Politics: How to Thrive in a World of Lying, Backstabbing and Dirty Tricks.
- ^ "APA PsycNet". psycnet.apa.org. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ Mohsin, Muhammad (16 November 2016). "Being a Part of Office Politics Doesn't Save You From It (Part 1)". Medium. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-470-26200-9
- ISBN 978-0-14-104027-1
- ^ Larsen, James. "Organizational Politics". Business Psychology. © Management Resources. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- Krackhardt, David "Assessing the political landscape: structure, cognition, and power in organizations", Administrative Science Quarterly, June 1990.
- Dwyer, Kelly Pate "How to Win at Office Politics", bnet.com, July 2, 2007
- Witt, L.A. (1998) Enhancing Organizational Goal Congruence: A Solution to Organizational Politics. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83(4), 666-674. www.businesspsych.org
Further reading
- Bancroft-Turner D & Hailstone P Workplace Politics (2008), Management Pocketbooks, ISBN 978-1-903776-90-2
- James, Oliver (February 2013). Office Politics: How to Thrive in a World of Lying, Backstabbing and Dirty Tricks. ISBN 978-0-09-192394-5.