COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course on Managing Organisational Politics. This course is designed to equip managers, leaders, and professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and manage the complexities of organisational politics effectively. Understanding and leveraging organisational politics can enhance decision-making, improve relationships, and drive positive outcomes within your organisation.
We begin with an introduction to organisational politics, where we define and explore its nature. You will learn about the importance of understanding organisational politics and how it impacts various aspects of organisational life.
Theories of organisational politics provide a foundational understanding of power and influence within organisations. This section covers power and influence theories, political behaviour in organisations, and various models that explain the dynamics of organisational politics.
Identifying political behaviours is crucial for managing them effectively. You will learn to recognise political tactics and strategies, identify signs of organisational politics, and differentiate between positive and negative political behaviours.
Understanding the sources of power in organisations is essential for navigating political landscapes. This section explores formal power derived from authority and position, informal power based on relationships and networks, and resource-based power.
Building political awareness involves developing key personal attributes. You will learn to enhance your emotional intelligence, situational awareness, and ability to read organisational culture to become more adept at managing political dynamics.
Navigating organisational structures requires an understanding of hierarchies and informal networks. This section covers the importance of understanding reporting lines, the role of informal networks, and managing cross-functional relationships effectively.
Strategies for managing organisational politics focus on building alliances and coalitions, negotiation and bargaining techniques, and conflict resolution and mediation to manage and leverage political dynamics constructively.
Effective communication skills are vital in political environments. You will learn techniques for effective persuasion and influence, active listening and assertiveness, and managing upward and downward communication to enhance your political effectiveness.
Ethical considerations in organisational politics are paramount. This section addresses maintaining integrity and transparency, ethical decision-making models, and balancing personal and organisational values to navigate politics ethically.
Managing change and political dynamics involves understanding the politics of change management. You will explore strategies for leading change, overcoming resistance, and building support to ensure successful change initiatives.
The role of leadership in organisational politics is critical for setting the tone and direction. This section covers leadership styles and political behaviour, building political capital as a leader, and leading by example to set high standards.
Developing political skills includes networking and relationship building, influence and persuasion techniques, and strategic thinking to enhance your political savvy and effectiveness within the organisation.
Case studies in organisational politics provide real-world insights and lessons. You will examine successful management of organisational politics, learn from political failures, and adapt strategies from real-world examples to your context.
Assessing and improving organisational culture involves conducting cultural audits, creating a culture of transparency and fairness, and implementing continuous improvement and culture change initiatives to foster a positive political environment.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the comprehensive knowledge and practical strategies needed to manage organisational politics effectively, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Organisational Politics
- Definition and Nature of Organisational Politics
- Importance of Understanding Organisational Politics
2. Theories of Organisational Politics
- Power and Influence Theories
- Political Behaviour in Organisations
- Models of Organisational Politics
3. Identifying Political Behaviours
- Recognising Political Tactics and Strategies
- Signs of Organisational Politics
- Differentiating Between Positive and Negative Politics
4. Sources of Power in Organisations
- Formal Power: Authority and Position
- Informal Power: Relationships and Networks
- Resource-Based Power
5. Building Political Awareness
- Developing Emotional Intelligence
- Enhancing Situational Awareness
- Reading Organisational Culture
6. Navigating Organisational Structures
- Understanding Hierarchies and Reporting Lines
- The Role of Informal Networks
- Managing Cross-Functional Relationships
7. Strategies for Managing Organisational Politics
- Building Alliances and Coalitions
- Negotiation and Bargaining Techniques
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
8. Communication Skills in Political Environments
- Effective Persuasion and Influence
- Active Listening and Assertiveness
- Managing Upward and Downward Communication
9. Ethical Considerations in Organisational Politics
- Maintaining Integrity and Transparency
- Ethical Decision-Making Models
- Balancing Personal and Organisational Values
10. Managing Change and Political Dynamics
- Understanding the Politics of Change Management
- Strategies for Leading Change
- Overcoming Resistance and Building Support
11. Role of Leadership in Organisational Politics
- Leadership Styles and Political Behaviour
- Building Political Capital as a Leader
- Leading by Example and Setting Standards
12. Developing Political Skills
- Networking and Relationship Building
- Influence and Persuasion Techniques
- Strategic Thinking and Political Savvy
13. Case Studies in Organisational Politics
- Successful Management of Organisational Politics
- Lessons Learned from Political Failures
- Adapting Strategies from Real-World Examples
14. Assessing and Improving Organisational Culture
- Conducting Cultural Audits
- Creating a Culture of Transparency and Fairness
- Continuous Improvement and Culture Change
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.