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Organizational Power Politics: Tactics in Organizational Leadership
This updated edition of the award-winning volume is a contemporary guidebook for understanding and using personal power in organizational settings of all kinds.
In 1993, when it named the first edition of Organizational Power Tactics in Organizational Leadership an Outstanding Academic Book, Choice said, "It contributes to the analysis and discussion of an issue that has, as yet, not received adequate attention." Now this acclaimed book returns in a fully updated new edition that gives readers proven strategies for using power to achieve personal and group objectives in all kinds of contexts―work, social, religious, military, and more.
Based on extensive research, Organizational Power Politics looks at important underlying theories about the use of interpersonal power, as well as examples of successful operational approaches in the workplace and elsewhere. At its heart are 22 specific power tactics applicable to a wide range of organizations and situations, complete with activities, self-evaluations, and discussion questions that will help anyone sharpen their power skills. This edition features two new one that looks at multinational organizations and one focusing on the middle layers of large-scale organizations.
In 1993, when it named the first edition of Organizational Power Tactics in Organizational Leadership an Outstanding Academic Book, Choice said, "It contributes to the analysis and discussion of an issue that has, as yet, not received adequate attention." Now this acclaimed book returns in a fully updated new edition that gives readers proven strategies for using power to achieve personal and group objectives in all kinds of contexts―work, social, religious, military, and more.
Based on extensive research, Organizational Power Politics looks at important underlying theories about the use of interpersonal power, as well as examples of successful operational approaches in the workplace and elsewhere. At its heart are 22 specific power tactics applicable to a wide range of organizations and situations, complete with activities, self-evaluations, and discussion questions that will help anyone sharpen their power skills. This edition features two new one that looks at multinational organizations and one focusing on the middle layers of large-scale organizations.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 11, 2021
Fairholm's work addresses issues of power usage, politics, in organizational settings. As my first foray into the subject of organizational politics, I had not considered many of the aspects of politics he addresses. Like many, playing politics has a negative connotation for me. Fairholm shows the positive side of politics as well. Essentially, one should use his or her power to attain as much additional power as possible for the purpose of doing as much good as possible. This make sense.
Where I think things get confusing in the book is where "power" is defined. The premise is that all human interaction entails power usage, but then several exceptions are stated, albeit inconsistently. This muddies the waters.
The waters get muddier still. When talking about manipulation, persuasion, influence, and coercion, Fairholm assesses Marx as unethical. Many will agree with that assessment, though not everyone will. In the same section, Fairholm states that the non-violent tactics of Gandhi and MLK Jr were also unethical uses of power. For me, there are very few possible lists that would include these three in the same category and unethical is not one of them.
The final two chapters were very good. Fairhiolm uses the confusing term "inner leaders." Perhaps he tried to coin this and it didn't catch on? Anyway, he is essentially talking about all the leaders between CEO and front-line workers. When he talks about shared power and coaching/teaching in this leadership range the book shines. The final chapter addresses globalization and leadership in multi-cultural settings. This is also a helpful chapter.
One criticism - as a second edition the book could have used a good editor. There are punctuation errors, misspellings, and excessive repetition throughout the book.
The book is useful, but it could be improved.
Where I think things get confusing in the book is where "power" is defined. The premise is that all human interaction entails power usage, but then several exceptions are stated, albeit inconsistently. This muddies the waters.
The waters get muddier still. When talking about manipulation, persuasion, influence, and coercion, Fairholm assesses Marx as unethical. Many will agree with that assessment, though not everyone will. In the same section, Fairholm states that the non-violent tactics of Gandhi and MLK Jr were also unethical uses of power. For me, there are very few possible lists that would include these three in the same category and unethical is not one of them.
The final two chapters were very good. Fairhiolm uses the confusing term "inner leaders." Perhaps he tried to coin this and it didn't catch on? Anyway, he is essentially talking about all the leaders between CEO and front-line workers. When he talks about shared power and coaching/teaching in this leadership range the book shines. The final chapter addresses globalization and leadership in multi-cultural settings. This is also a helpful chapter.
One criticism - as a second edition the book could have used a good editor. There are punctuation errors, misspellings, and excessive repetition throughout the book.
The book is useful, but it could be improved.
November 23, 2014
Very interesting book on power politics, and its use in organizational life. Keywords: power, politics, strategy, tactics, organization, leadership. I am using this book as one of key references for my (MPhil/PhD) course on 'Power, Politics, and Policy Process' at the School of Public Policy, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews