Power And Politics In Organizations

One of the most desired human wants is power. In the business world, power and politics, to a large extent, determine the growth, stability and continual success of companies. Before comparing and contrasting power and politics in organizations it would be beneficial to define each term. For the purpose of this paper, power is defined as the exercise of influence or control over anothers behavior, while politics is defined as the tactics used to obtain a desired goal, position or status in a company. Two examples of the abuse of power and politics, as it relates to management and leadership in an organization, is the failure of the management of some companies to give credit where it is due and the underhanded practices used by others for career advancement. Power and politics are the top two elements used in a company that either can cause the downfall or success of that company. Knowing the positions of power and politics and the role they play in a company is critical to the awareness of organizational ethics and leadership practices. The organizational management and leadership practice of a company depend largely on power and politics. Power and politics within an organization involves resources, money, people, time and authority. Power is established by social responsibility, control, behavior, organizational culture, and empowered management teams. Politics is established by a personal structure surrounded by traditional and non-traditional selfindulged managerial positions and applying personal values and culture into business matters (Powers, 2008). The bases of power are divided into seven personal attributes. These are rewardpower, coercive power, legitimate power, referent power, expert power, informational power, and connective power. Politics is influenced by behavior. Politics focuses on not only exercising power but also builds personal power (Unknown, 1998). Each leader uses either one or more of these powers to obtain and maintain the desired work ethic from his or her employees or team members. Without the use of punishment, charisma, and authoritative influence leaders cannot effectively manage and lead their teams. One example of the abuse of power and politics as it relates to management and leadership practices in an organization occurs when management takescredit for an

idea that was not theirs without acknowledging the true source. Some employers or employees in leadership positions feel as though they can use their position of power to make themselves look good by taking credit for things they did not do. When this occurs repeatedly it creates tension and mistrust within a company. The abuse of power puts a strain on the relationship between management and workers. The abuse of power and politics go hand in hand in any type of leadership practice in which manipulation is routinely used. Another example of the abuse of power and politics as it relates to management and leadership is manifested when, in the quest for promotion, confidential information or even malicious lies about fellow-workers are leaked as a means of eliminating the competition. The abuse of power and politics are often both used for personal gain at the expense of others. The news media is rife with stories concerning insider trading, corruption, and espionage in the business world. Such acts represent a lack of good business ethics, the abuse of power, and unfair politics, among other things. These acts are always motivated by some combination of covetousness, avarice, unrestrained lust for power and an intense desire for rapid financial gain. In conclusion, power and politics are used in different aspects of management. In order for leaders to practice proper power and politics they themselves must have the right ethical background. Leaders should continually evaluate themselves as they seek to establish organizations that will exemplify proper ethics and the right balance of power and politics. Without power and politics organizations cannot fully function for both are essential for the establishment and growth of businesses. The abuse of power and unjust politics in organizations, however, will never lead to sustainable growth, success and greatness.

Powers, Michelle (June 23, 2008). Powers and Politics. http://www/associatedcontent.com/article/826311/power _and_politics.html. Retrieved November 28, 2008 Texas Tech University (August 31, 1998). Power & Politics. Division of Outreach and Extended Studies. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/rhim520/htm_files/0012.htm. Retrieved November 28, 2008