Organizational Power And Politics

Organizational Power and Politics

Some employees believe that politics and power in the workplace is a game that corporate and management plays. However, games usually have rules to follow, a referee or judge, and an ending with a winner. Although politics has a winner, this game never ends, the rules are always subject to change, and there is no referee or spokesperson. Corporate traditions establish much of the biased game of politics that is played on the organizational level. Unfortunately, politics and power is a game that most employees in an organization must learn how to play.

Organizational Politics

One part of organizational politics includes the manipulations of an individual to get other employees to perform or act as the manipulator desires. The other part of the organizational politic game is the negotiation and cooperation with or resistance to the manipulator (Clarke, 1990). Politics can assist or harm an employee, depending on his or her decision to play the game. Employees must understand that politics is a power scheme game that is combined with other power scheme. Some things are accomplished by following organizational procedures, while other things are accomplished politically. Once employees recognize and accept that politics are everywhere and they do not place judgment on them, employees can begin to work with them to advance their career (Grimm, 2004).

Political behaviors are activities that are not required as part of an employees' formal role in the organization. These behaviors influence, or attempt to influence the distribution of advantages or disadvantages within the organization. Politics are a fact of life in all organizations. Politics will always be a part of an organization, as long as people are involved. Organizational politics decrease job satisfaction, increase turnover and reduce productivity in the workforce. Politics in the workforce can be anything from gender politics, discriminating against women having children, interaction between race and gender, to how a company treats their gay employees, to name a few. Disrespect for one's coworkers is a very common effect of power and politics in an organization (Power and Politics, 2006).

Organizational politics is something most people recognize when they see it in action, but find difficult to define. Organizational politics can be a very competitive game. The stakes are high, if employees succeed, they may be able to keep their job or get that desired promotion. However, if the employee loses, he or she may be pounding the payment and looking for a new job.