BU288 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Policy, Machiavellianism
Document Summary
Empowerment means giving ppl authority, opportunity and motivation to solve org problems: power is located where it is needed to give employees the feeling that they are capable of doing their jobs well. Organizational politics occur when non-sanctioned ends are pursued or when influence in the form of non-sanctioned means is used. Pursuit of non-sanctioned ends is always dysfunctional, but the org may benefit when non-sanctioned means are used to achieve approved goals. Several political tactics were discussed: networking is establishing good relations w key ppl to accomplish goals. Contributes to political skill along w political astuteness, interpersonal influence and apparent sincerity: machiavellianism is a set of cynical beliefs about human nature, morality and permissibility of using various means to achieve one"s ends. Situational morality, lying and psyching out" others are common tactics: defensiveness means avoiding taking actions that do not suit one"s political agenda and avoiding blame for negative events.
