LEAD 402 Discussion Board 5 “Politics”

1. LEAD 402 Discussion Board 5 “Politics” James Anglin, Jason Eyer, William Lancenese, Timothy Robinson, and Chelsey Stone.

2. “Politics” This discussion centers around the question: “Do we agree that politics is a natural and healthy part of organizational life?” • First, let’s answer what “politics” means to us as it pertains to leadership and organizations. • Politics involves…

3. “Politics” • …”activities to acquire, develop, and use power and other resources to obtain desired future outcomes when there is uncertainty or disagreement about choices.”(Daft, page 371) • “Politically skillful leaders strive to understand others’ viewpoints, needs, desires, and goals, and use their understanding to influence people to act in ways that help the leader accomplish his or her goals for the team or organization. “ (Daft, page 371)

4. “Politics” • “Leaders at most organizations engage in some degree of political activity aimed at influencing government policies, because government choices represent a critical source of uncertainty for businesses as well as non-profit organizations.” (Daft, page 371) • “Organizations use political activity to try to influence decisions that will be to their benefit. (Daft, page 371)

5. “Politics” • “Political behavior can either be positive or negative in an organization.” • “Leaders use politics to increase their personal power through seeking greater responsibility by doing things like volunteering for difficult projects and serving on committees.” • “This enables leaders to make friendships with powerful people and build their reputation with them.” (Daft, page 371)

6. “Politics” • What does this information teach us, and how do we feel about it when we ask the main question; “Is politics a natural healthy part of organizational life?” • First of all. We know that leadership is all about influencing people. • Politics is about influencing people too. • Politics are also about attaining goals.

7. “Politics” • These are two important aspects of leadership that are shared with politics. • This helps to build a strong case already that politics are a natural healthy part of organizational leadership. • We know that organizations, to some extent will try to influence government policies to the benefit of the organization.

8. “Politics” • Impression management, which means that people in organizations seek to control how others perceive them, to create an impression of greater power, as well helping them gain more power, (Daft, page 371) is evidence that politics happens in the workplace and is a normal aspect of organizational culture. • This pertains to executive presence…

9. “Politics” • Executive presence is about the impact you have when you walk into a room. • It helps to remind us that political activity is happening at our workplaces every day. • Politics is engrained in the organizational culture, whether we realize it or not.