The Politics of Management

The realm of organisational politics is an unpredictable and high‐risk environment. The political situation can be controlled and managed, however, with knowledge and understanding of political behaviour. Political behaviour can have both positive and negative effects. The underlying cause is individual self‐ interest. To deal with the political environment, managers can use manipulative techniques; but a problem‐solving approach is much more effective. A tactical approach involves the use of short‐term win/lose techniques. Only the strategic approach minimises the effects of individual self‐interest in the long‐term.