Introduction

The "Power and Politics in Organizational Leadership" course is designed to equip leaders with the skills and insights necessary to navigate the complex landscape of power dynamics and political influences in organizations. Over five days, participants will explore the foundational concepts, analyze real-world cases, and develop effective strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities in a politically charged environment.

Objectives

• Understand the nature and sources of power within organizations.
• Identify and assess political dynamics and their impact on decision-making.
• Develop strategies to effectively manage organizational politics.
• Enhance leadership effectiveness through ethical use of power.
• Apply concepts of power and politics to real-world organizational scenarios.

Course Outlines

Day 1: Foundations of Power in Organizations

• Introduction to power: Definitions and concepts.
• Sources and types of power in organizations.
• The role of authority and influence in leadership.
• Power dynamics: Exploring formal and informal structures.
• Case studies: Analyzing power structures in real organizations.

Day 2: Navigating Organizational Politics

• Understanding organizational politics: An overview.
• Identifying political players and networks within organizations.
• Strategies for engaging in constructive political behavior.
• Avoiding and managing destructive political tactics.
• Workshop: Political landscape mapping in participants’ organizations.

Day 3: Ethics and Power in Leadership

• Ethical considerations in wielding power.
• Building credibility and authentic leadership presence.
• Balancing power with responsibility.
• Decision-making processes through an ethical lens.
• Group discussion: Leading ethically in politically charged environments.

Day 4: Strategies for Effective Influence

• Techniques and tools for influencing others.
• Building alliances and coalitions for support.
• Negotiating and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Communicating with impact and persuasion.
• Interactive exercise: Influence scenarios and role-plays.

Day 5: Implementing Change and Innovation

• The role of power and politics in change management.
• Overcoming resistance and gaining buy-in for initiatives.
• Leveraging power dynamics for successful innovation.
• Developing a personal leadership action plan.
• Final reflection and course wrap-up.