POWER
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
BUSINESS ETHICS & ETIQUETTE
VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL
POLITICS
GAZELLE JOY H. HARI
REPORTER
COERCIVE POWER
is often the least effective but most employed (and
abused) type of power in the corporate world.
forcing someone to do something against their
will or setting up “consequences” to employee
actions.
This type of behavior often leads to fear,
dissatisfaction, and resentment.
REWARD POWER
widely used method today. The results of Reward
power are mixed and it is, therefore, the second
weakest form of power.
useful as long as the reward is perceived as
having value. Giving away a gold star or a gift
card may be nice if it is something that is rare,
but if over-used the effect may be weakened.
LEGITIMATE POWER
Is the power of position or role. This is the typical
“command and control” structure that is employed
by the Military world.
acts as a formalized way of ensuring that there
is someone to make a decision (good or bad)
and that someone is responsible.
can seem arbitrary and when a person loses or
changes positions or roles within a company,
this type of power does not move with them.
REFERENT POWER
is the “cult of personality”. This is the power and
ability of an individual to attract others and build
loyalty within them.
is also the power of respect. This can occur over
time if a leader is successful and has a wellknown track record of success.
INFORMATIONAL POWER
is the power of having information that another
does not have, or, the distribution of information
as a means of effecting change.
Informational Power is in the possible use of
information by persuading “by the numbers” or
making up a “statistic” to manipulate opinions.
can be used to measure and improve tasks, processes,
and strategies.
EXPERT POWER
This type of power is often the most effective
type of power.
Excellent leaders seek to use the most effective
type of power at the correct time.
They also seek others that understand how leadership
and vision work in order to set up a framework for
success.
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
What is Organizational politics?
The term ‘organizational politics’, also known as
workplace politics, refers to the agenda of each
employee within a company and the activities
they engage in to acquire, increase, and wield
power and resources to gain a desired outcome.
Objectives of Organizational Politics
1
Gaining power
2 Boosting productivity
3 Gaining recognition
Earning money and
4
income
5
Resolving disputes
6
Promoting personal
objectives
7
Protecting selfinterest
8
Developing power
contacts
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
Self - Promotion
When an employee acts to further their
career without regard for the impact on
others around them. This includes things
like taking credit for the ideas of others
and putting coworkers down to build
themselves up.
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
Office Politics
When one employee or group attempts
to influence another employee or group
through
persuasion,
manipulation,
influence, or pressure.
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
Factionalism
A group becomes split based on common
tasks and common interests, and these
smaller groups form alliances that align with
their goals. In larger organizations, this can
help to increase innovation and agility.
However, it will often have negative
consequences as each faction commits to
winning at any cost.
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
Gatekeeping
An employee or group of employees who
already have a certain degree of power block
other employees and ideas. They do this to
maintain their power and avoid being
challenged. However, this stifles innovation
and prevents talent from rising through the
organization.
TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
Territorialism
An employee becomes extremely attached to
a certain role or task and will not allow
anyone else to undertake it. For example, a
manager who refuses to hand over the reins
of a project.
Impact of organizational politics
Here are some of the common negative impacts on
employees:
Increased stress from fear of the unknown or losing
their job
Decrease in concentration and productivity as they
are distracted by politics
Increase in cynicism which leads to low morale and
job satisfaction
High employee turnover which can lead to a lack of
qualified employees and a knowledge and skills
gap
Miscommunication as neither employees nor
managers fully know what's going on
Resentment
Managing organizational politics
Improve your people skills
Communicate openly and honestly
Put yourself in your employees’ shoes and understand
the landscape
Collaborate respectfully across departments
Maintain positive working relationships with all
colleagues
Don't have favorites or give preferential treatment to
anyone
Change your approach if something's not working
Ensure employees feel valued and noticed and know
they have opportunities
Monitor any issues you notice
Encourage employees to reach out with concerns
Step in when needed
Set a positive example for your team to follow
Reasons organizational politics exist:
A lack of clarity - an organization is a complex
entity with interconnecting relationships
between departments, teams, and individuals.
Jealousy - If one worker perceives another as
being a favorite or better at their job, it can
easily lead to resentment.
Promotion opportunities - when there are only
a few places at the top and many people
vying for them, it can be difficult to get ahead.
Laziness - sometimes workers look for
shortcuts to the top without putting in the
work.
BUSINESS ETHICS & ETIQUETTE
Ethics are defined as a set of moral
principles or values.
Etiquette is defined as the conduct or
procedure required or prescribed by
authority to be observed in official life.
BUSINESS ETHICS
Defines the values you have
set to guide you through the
world of work and determine
your standing in a company.
Characteristics of positive work ethics:
Optimistic Attitude
Professionalism
Good Attendance
Punctuality
Hardworking
Goal-Oriented
Accomplishment Driven
Self-Disciplined
Time Management Focused
Reliability
Productivity
Accountability
WORK ETIQUETTE
is an expected code of behavior
that defines expectations for
social behavior. Etiquette
requires presenting yourself in a
manner considered appropriate
by others.
Here are some behaviors to consider:
Reading and Responding
Professionally to Emails
Delivering an Impressive
Handshake
Introductions in Social Settings
Entering and Exiting a Group
Initiating Conversations
Business Card Protocol
Follow-Up Strategies
Using Cell Phones Thoughtfully
Virtual Meeting Presence
Consider the following sets of rules
Group A
Group B
1. Listen more than you speak.
2. Don’t chew with your mouth
open.
3. Avoid checking your phone
while you’re interacting with
a colleague or client, unless
it’s an emergency.
4.
Have good personal
hygiene.
5.
Speak respectfully to
everyone at your
organization, regardless of
their position.
1. Do not reveal confidential
information about your
company or its clients.
2.
Tell the truth.
3.
Keep the promises you
make, and don’t make
promises you’re not
prepared to honor.
4.
Don’t sexually harass
anyone.
5. Don’t offer or accept bribes.
HORIZONTAL POLITICS
Horizontal politics are your
relations with your peers
and with members of
others departments and
organizations.
How can we develop effective horizontal
politics:
Favors - Give lots of praise to
everyone.
Peers - have a healthy competition.
Success - your don not own your
success
Ethics - do not cover for a peer in
trouble.
VERTICAL POLITICS
Vertical politics are
relations with superiors
and subordinates. They are
the most important
persons with whom to
develop effective relations.
How can we develop effective
vertical politics:
Relationships - honor
relationships and commitments.
Preferences - analyze the style
and preferences of your superior
Performance - Know what your
superior regard as good
performance
How can we develop effective
vertical politics:
Trust - earn his or her trust to
establish a good working
relationship.
Friendship - strive for a
harmonious relationship.
Open - Door Policy - be available
to employees when they need
help.
THANK YOU
For Listening
REFERENCES:
Organizational Politics. (2022, October 19). AIHR. https://www.aihr.com/hrglossary/organizationalpolitics/#:~:text=The%20term%20'organizational%20politics'%2C,is%20present%20in%20m
ost%20organizations.
The Six Types of Power for Leaders. (2015). Linkedin.com.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-types-power-leaders-john-prescott
Work Ethics & Etiquette: What Are They & How Do I Get Them? (2021). Captechu.edu.
https://www.captechu.edu/blog/work-ethics-etiquette-what-are-they-how-do-i-getthem
GreggU. (2020). Vertical Politics [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veL5U4Orlv0
GreggU. (2020). Horizontal Politics [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1VmT7CKlJ8