This 3-week training course is designed to help professionals navigate and manage the complexities of organizational politics and power dynamics. Participants will explore the interplay between power, influence, and relationships within organizations and learn strategies to build trust, improve collaboration, and drive positive outcomes. The course emphasizes ethical leadership, conflict resolution, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand the nature and role of power and politics in organizations.
- Develop strategies for managing and leveraging power dynamics ethically.
- Learn techniques for navigating political landscapes to achieve goals.
- Enhance skills in stakeholder management and relationship building.
- Improve conflict resolution and negotiation capabilities.
- Foster a culture of trust, accountability, and inclusivity.
Benefits to Participants
- Enhanced ability to navigate and influence organizational politics.
- Improved skills in ethical leadership and relationship management.
- Practical tools for conflict resolution and communication.
- Strategies to build trust and foster collaboration.
- Certification to support career advancement.
Benefits to Organizations
- Improved team dynamics and productivity.
- Reduced conflicts and improved resolution strategies.
- A culture of trust, inclusivity, and accountability.
- Empowered leaders capable of navigating political complexities.
- Enhanced organizational resilience and adaptability.
This 3-week course equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively
manage organizational politics and power dynamics. Through theoretical insights
and practical applications, participants will learn how to turn challenges into
opportunities and drive positive organizational change.
Lessons in this course
Week 1: Foundations of Organizational Politics and Power
Day 1: Understanding Organizational Politics
- Definition and scope of organizational politics.
- How power and politics influence workplace dynamics.
- Identifying political behaviors and their impact.
- Case studies: Political dynamics in real-world organizations.
- Workshop: Mapping political structures in your organization.
Day 2: Sources and Types of Power
- Understanding the bases of power (e.g., positional, personal, expert).
- Power vs. influence: Key distinctions.
- Recognizing informal power networks.
- Workshop: Assessing your own power and influence.
Day 3: Ethical Use of Power
- Principles of ethical leadership.
- Balancing personal goals with organizational priorities.
- Avoiding power abuse and manipulation.
- Workshop: Ethical decision-making scenarios.
Week 2: Navigating and Managing Power Dynamics
Day 4: Building Political Awareness
- Identifying key stakeholders and influencers.
- Understanding organizational culture and its political landscape.
- Techniques for political intelligence.
- Workshop: Stakeholder mapping and analysis.
Day 5: Managing Relationships and Alliances
- Building trust and credibility.
- Managing upward, lateral, and downward relationships.
- Forming strategic alliances and coalitions.
- Workshop: Creating a relationship management strategy.
Day 6: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
- Recognizing and addressing sources of conflict.
- Strategies for effective negotiation.
- Turning conflict into opportunities for growth.
- Workshop: Role-playing negotiation and conflict resolution scenarios.
Day 7: Communication and Influence
- Crafting persuasive messages.
- Adapting communication styles to different audiences.
- Using storytelling to influence and inspire.
- Workshop: Designing impactful communication strategies.
Week 3: Advanced Strategies and Applications
Day 8: Leadership in Political Environments
- Leading with integrity and purpose.
- Managing resistance and dissent.
- Building resilient teams in politically charged environments.
- Workshop: Leadership self-assessment and improvement plan.
Day 9: Power Dynamics in Change Management
- Understanding the role of power during organizational change.
- Overcoming resistance to change.
- Strategies for aligning stakeholders during transitions.
- Workshop: Case study analysis of change management scenarios.
Day 10: Fostering a Collaborative Culture
- Creating systems for accountability and transparency.
- Encouraging inclusivity and diverse perspectives.
- Building a culture of trust and mutual respect.
- Workshop: Designing a collaborative organizational framework.
Capstone Week (Days 11-15) – Capstone Activities
- Individual and group projects: Developing a political and power management strategy for a case organization.
- Peer feedback and evaluations.
- Final presentations and reflective discussions.
- Certification ceremony and networking opportunities.