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Political Behavior in Organizations
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Political Behavior in Organizations



November 2008 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Political Behavior in Organizations includes a summary of power and influence in organizations. The text blends research, theory, experience and skill building into a comprehensive yet concise book designed for understanding and application.

Key features include:

- captivating case histories for analysis, both from the media and original stories;

- political skill-building exercise for each chapter;

- self-assessment quizzes;

- introductory cases at the beginning of each chapter.

 
Preface
 
Part I The Nature and Context of Political Behavior in Organizations
 
Chapter 1 The Nature and Causes of Organizational Politics
The Meaning of Organizational Politics

 
The Importance of Political Behavior for Career Advancement and Organizational Performance

 
How Interpersonal Influence Behavior Facilitates the Pathway to the Boardroom

 
Political Behavior and Organizational Performance

 
Factors Contributing to Political Behavior in Organizations

 
Organizational Factors

 
Individual Factors

 
A Framework of Effective Use of Organizational Politics

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Problem: The Curious Behavior CEO of Steve Heuer

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 1: What Are Office Politics?

 
References

 
 
Chapter 2 The Organizational Context and Ethics of Political Behavior
Dimensions of Organizational Culture Related to Organizational Politics

 
Diagnosing the Organizational Culture and Climate for Political Behavior

 
Sizing up the Situation Related to Political Behavior

 
Preferences of the Work Unit Manager

 
Work Group Influences on Political Behavior

 
Dimensions of National Culture Values Influencing Organizational Politics

 
Ethical Considerations in Organizational Politics

 
The Intentions of the Political Actor

 
A Test of Ethics Based on Moral Principles

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: Pay for Play at the North Carolina Treasurer’s Office

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 2: Creating an Organizational Story with an Underlying Meaning

 
References

 
 
Part II Strategies and Tactics of Positive Organizational Politics
 
Chapter 3 Major Initiatives for Acquiring Power
The Sources and Types of Power

 
Position Power

 
Personal Power

 
Performing a Power Analysis

 
Strategies and Tactics for Acquiring Power

 
Perform Well and Establish a Good Reputation

 
Form Alliances with Powerful People

 
Attract a Powerful Mentor

 
Be Grandiose, Audacious, and Flamboyant

 
Be Visibly Kind

 
Be an Extraordinary Strategist

 
Make a Quick Showing

 
Turn Around a Failure or a Crisis

 
Share Power and Ask for Assistance

 
Make a Powerful Appearance

 
The Abuse of Power with Organizations

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: Big Eddie Lambert Likes to Deal

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 3: Creating an Impression of Power

 
References

 
 
Chapter 4 Upward Relations
Organizational Citizenship Behavior as Organizational Politics

 
Impression Management

 
Contextual Variables Influencing Impression Management

 
Specific Tactics of Impression Management

 
A Variety of Relationship Builders with Superiors

 
Understand your Manager’s Style and Work Preferences

 
Help Your Manager Succeed

 
Engage in Favorable Interactions with Your Manager

 
Be Loyal in a Variety of Ways

 
Flatter Your Manager with Sincerity

 
Strive for Ample and Open Communication

 
Dealing with a Difficult Boss

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: The Image Doctor Will See You Now

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 4: Engaging in Effective Flattery

 
References

 
 
Chapter 5 Lateral Relations
The Positive Consequences of Good lateral Relations

 
Political Tactics for Coworker Relationships

 
Engage in Interpersonal Citizenship Behavior

 
Engage in Positive Coworker Exchanges

 
Participate in Positive Gossip and Small Talk

 
Supplement E-Mail with More Personal Contact

 
Repair Damage Quickly

 
Political Tactics for Enhancing Team Play

 
Contribute to the Team Culture

 
Demonstrate Confidence and Trust in Teammates

 
Give Credit to Others

 
Follow the Law of Reciprocity

 
Participate in Healthy Competition

 
Assist Teammates in Trouble

 
Cooperate During Teamwork Training

 
Individual Recognition and Positive Lateral Relations

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: Passed Over Pete

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 5: High-Quality Exchanges with Coworkers

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6 Downward Relations
Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Downward Relations

 
Different Quality Relationships

 
First Impressions

 
The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership and Downward Relations

 
Humanistic Leadership Practices for Building Downward Relations

 
Mix Humility and Self-Confidence

 
Communicate Trust in Others and Minimize Micromanagement

 
Engage in Face-to-Face Communication

 
Assist in the Development of Subordinates

 
Be Civil yet Maintain Professional Distance

 
Give Emotional Support and Encouragement

 
Begin a New Position with a Listening Tour

 
Share Credit with the Team

 
Avoid Being the Abominable No Man or Woman

 
Politically Astute Leadership Practices for Building Downward Relations

 
Use Authority Prudently

 
Achieve Buy-In for Initiatives

 
Encourage Democracy Including Power Sharing

 
Use a Leadership Style Different from Your Predecessor

 
Be Prudent in Dealing with Former Coworkers

 
Encourage and Welcome Group Members of Superior Intelligence

 
Solicit and Welcome Feedback

 
Be a Servant Leader

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Problem: Micro Mike

 
Skill-Building Exercise 6: The Effective Leader

 
 
Chapter 7 Influence Tactics
Interpersonal Level Influence Tactics

 
Be Persuasive

 
Exchange Favors and Benefits

 
Ingratiate Yourself to Others

 
Be an Alpha Executive

 
Negotiate Sensibly

 
Be Low Key

 
Be Agreeable and Apologize when Necessary

 
Group and Organizational-Level Influence Tactics

 
Form Coalitions

 
Engage in Cooptation with the Other Side

 
Display Expertise

 
Use Charisma

 
Display Skill in a Foreign Language

 
Be a Maverick or an Iconoclast

 
Appeal to Superordinate Goals

 
Be Cool Under Pressure

 
Place Spin on Negative Events

 
Relative Effectiveness and Sequencing of Influence Tactics

 
Relative Effectiveness of Influence Tactics

 
Sequencing of Influence Tactics

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: The Coal Man Speaks

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 7: Applying Influence Tactics

 
References

 
 
Chapter 8 Social Networks within Organizations
Social Network Theory

 
Social Capital and the Importance of Ties

 
Strength of Ties among Network Members

 
Social Network Analysis

 
Internal and External Networks in Organizations

 
Internal Networks

 
External Networks

 
Internet-Mediated Social Networking for Business

 
How Leaders Use Internal and External Networks

 
Social Networks and Group and Organizational Performance

 
Group Performance and Social Networking

 
Organizational Performance and Social Networking

 
Social Networks and Career Advancement

 
Suggestions for Building and Maintaining Social Networks

 
Networking Suggestions Based on Scholarly Research

 
Networking Suggestions Based on Experience and Intuition

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: Networking Ashley

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 8: Building Your Network

 
References

 
 
Part III Negative Tactics, Blunders, and Overcoming Dysfunctional Politics
 
Chapter 9 Negative Political Tactics and Blunders
Negative Political Tactics

 
Hostile Behavior toward Others

 
Shrewd Tricks

 
Political Blunders

 
Political Blunders and Emotional Intelligence

 
Career Retarding Blunders

 
Blunders Leading to Embarrassment and Minor Setbacks

 
Recovering from Blunders

 
Damage Control after a Major Error the Job

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: The Wal-Mart Adventures of Julie Roehm

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 9: Blunder Recovery and Damage Control

 
 
Chapter 10 The Control of Dysfunctional Politics
The Perception of Dysfunctional Politics in Organizations

 
Organizational and Individual Factors Associated with Perceptions of Politics

 
The Impact of Perception of Organizational Politics on Performance

 
The Consequences of Dysfunctional Politics

 
Managerial Control of Dysfunctional Politics

 
Create a Prosperous Organization

 
Set Good Examples at the Executive Level

 
Establish a Climate of Open Communication

 
Develop Congruence between Individual and Organizational Goals

 
Minimize Favoritism and Have Objective Standards of Performance

 
Reward Honest Feedback

 
Emphasize Teams to Reduce Self-Serving Behavior

 
Threaten to Discuss Questionable Information Publicly

 
Hire People with Integrity and Honesty

 
Protecting Yourself against Negative Politics

 
Understand Political Forces within the Organization

 
Develop a Clean Record and a Positive Reputation

 
Extend an Olive Branch to Rivals

 
Confront Backstabbers

 
Summary

 
Questions and Activities

 
Case Study: The Nightmare in the Logistics Department

 
Political Skill-Building Exercise 10: Confronting the Backstabber in the Logistics Department

 
Glossary

 
Index

 

"Right read in times of downsizing, to survive workplace politics."

D. Murali
The Hindu News Service

"Billed as 'the first true textbook' on the subject."

BUSINESS LINE
BUSINESS LINE

"Western's unique approach to examining leadership with practical examples and references from many disciplines makes the book a very interesting read."

Nella A. Roberts
Florida International University

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412954617
£103.00