Introduction
This report analyses the effect of power and politics in the organization. Originations are owned and controlled by individuals who may influence nature, activities, and existing structures. It’s therefore important that the extent to which these personalities exert their control is determined. Organizations coalitions of single persons and interest faction which occur as a result of people needing mutual support. Through the concession process, members unite their forces to produce common goals and identifying means of utilizing resources, thereby resulting in their power.
Power is defined as one’s ability to influence the behavior of others so that they will act in accordance with one wishes or plan. It’s important that managers have some powers in an organization in order to initiate change. On the other hand, politics refers to the ability to exercise power to get something done, as well as prioritizing the specific significance of a minority group. Managers use politics to influence the decision-making process to gain specific interest in their favor. Powerful managers may be able to control the outcomes of the organization and influence the decisions of resource allocation. Politics can be used to counter oppositions and challenge defiance in a precedent decision-making situation.
The use of power can help a manager achieve effective leadership; managers should be asking why they need power and to what extent. Managers who synchronize power with the organizational culture and diversity to achieve the organizational objectives will never fail; however, if a manager uses power for his own personal interest or ambition, which is incompatible with the organization’s objectives, then that is an unsuccessful manager. As we have said that politics in an organization involves determining which department gets what, a manager with an ulterior motive can decide to make life difficult for other fellow colleagues who he perceives as being his rivals. These are the characteristics of monopoly that are easily identified with bureaucratic organizations. When employees compete in an organization, the basis is always a performance; where this is the case, competition will be both individualistic and departmental. The essence of this is to determine the best. The whole process is political, and whoever wins will get the power.
The common goal of any organization is to become a leader, controlling a considerable market share. The urge and quest for control symbolize politics, while control or influence is power. A combination of power and politics will sturdily manipulate communication processes in an organization. While others depending on the governing structure, will prefer downward or upward, others do accept vertical only. The origin of communication determines the PowerPoint.
In times of change requiring organizations to be adaptive, e.g., responding to shareholders and specific problems, the power is consequentially removed from ideology and group management and team decision-making process. At the same time, politics become equally important as one climbs the organizational ladder.
Power is used by a leader to introduce organizational signs, norms, visions, and morals in order to protect the cultural identity of the organization, while politics is used to create a strategic advantage for an organization by setting and identifying spectrum alternatives and priorities during uncertainties. A power arises from one’s ability to be ready and willing to face challenges and tough situations as they arise; politics may arise from outright execution of power.
Organizational management and leadership practices
The leadership styles possessed by different personalities in an organization will determine what kind of organizational structure is adopted by an organization. Classical theorists like Henry Fayol and Max Weber believed that great leaders of this world were born. Contemporary studies have shown that great leaders are actually made.
Autocratic leadership
This is where the job description and responsibility are defined by the organization’s structure. Communication tends to be only one way; this is a characteristic of bureaucratic organization. Leaders who belong to this style presently include President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Gadaffi of Libya, and Omar Bongo of Botswana, all from Africa. The situation in Zimbabwe is pathetic, an outbreak of disease e.g., cholera, highest inflation rate, food insecurity, etc. from our earlier discussion we had said that a bad leader might use politics to settle the scores by denying other people resources.
Charismatic leadership
This is a leader whose behavior is charming, appealing, and fascinating. In the worlds record we only have the late Winston Churchill and the former South African president Nelson Mandela. These are leaders who were by then perceived to be charismatic. Organizations with such leaders are very responsive to the environment and allow their employees to define their job responsibilities by themselves.
Conclusion
Managers must be able to determine what kind of power they need and why. Individuals who possess power and politics should only use them to fulfill the organizational objectives, anything contrary is inconsequential. There should be a clear distinction between power and politics as each has a direct influence in an organization.
List of References
Robins S.P. &Judge A.T., (2009), organizational Behaviour, Published by Prentice Hall, (13th Ed). Web.