Organisational Politics and Power Dynamics

Politics are a part of organizational life which stem from a diversity of interests, and those competing interests must be resolved in some way. Organizational politics are characterized by informal, unofficial, and sometimes behind-the-scenes efforts to sell ideas, influence an organization, increase power, or achieve other objectives. There are a number of potential individual and organizational antecedents of political behaviors. In today’s organizational work, it’s important to be aware of the potentially destructive aspects of organizational politics in order to minimize their negative effect.

This powerful training course examines why workplace politics exist and looks at skill in handling conflicting agendas and shifting power bases and at strategies to "win" at office politics without resorting to dirty tactics and unprofessional behaviors. Among its powerful features, it will emphasize that effective politics isn’t about winning at all costs but about maintaining relationships while achieving results. It will demonstrate that organizational politics are not inherently bad and it is possible to promote yourself and your cause without compromising yours and your organization’s values. Since all workplaces are political to some extent, the course will also examine techniques to minimize the negative side of organizational politics and how to effectively manage differences of personality and opinion.

This Organisational Politics and Power Dynamics training course will feature:

• Pragmatic knowledge of what power and politics mean in organizational settings
• Assessment of delegates’ political skills and shortfalls using frameworks that are simple, potent and immediately applicable
• Development of an actionable career plan to manage interpersonal conflict and enhance the productivity of individuals and teams
• Preparation of a personal agenda to effectively manage the politics of delegates’ career
• Management of differences of personality and opinion to neutralize “bad” politics at work

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Attain a pragmatic mastery of power and politics in organizational settings
• Develop an actionable career plan to manage interpersonal conflict and enhance the productivity of individuals and teams
• Practice "good" politics to enable them to further their personal and team's interests fairly and appropriately
• Apply strategies to "win" at office politics without sinking to the lowest standards of behavior
• Manage differences of personality and opinion to neutralize “bad” politics at work

This Organisational Politics and Power Dynamics training course is ideal for managers and professionals with existing political and conflict management skills across functional areas who regularly handle organizational conflict.  

This Organisational Politics and Power Dynamics training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Team Leaders / Unit Heads
• Supervisors
• Managers of all levels
• Management Professionals
• Delegates of any sector of industry and/or business

This Organisational Politics and Power Dynamics training course will utilise a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This includes:

• Instructor’s guidance and facilitation of learning, using proven techniques
• Delegates’ direct inputs, case studies, and exercises
• Short video-clips presentation and de-briefing sessions
• Discussion and activities designed to promote skill building via interaction among participants
• Activities and work on examples and role-plays to highlight concepts taught and allow participants to practice skills they learned from this course