Dysfunctional Politics

Organizational politics can hurt an organization and its members in wasted time, effort and lower productivity. A group of researchers conducted a meta-analysis of available studies of the relationship between the perception of organizational politics and certain important outcomes. The perception of political behavior refers to the recognition that organizational politics is present. When a high degree of political behavior is perceived to exist, it can damage individuals and the organization. To avoid these negative consequences, leaders should combat political behavior when it is excessive and dysfunctional. In a comprehensive strategy to control politics, organizational leaders must be aware of its causes and techniques. Open communication also can constrain the impact of political behavior. For instance, everyone know the basis for allocating resources. When communication is open, it also makes it more difficult for some people to control information and pass along gossip as a political weapon. Avoiding favoritism, giving the best rewards to the group members you like the best, is a potent way of minimizing politics within a work group. Managers should reward workers who impress them through task-related activities. Setting good examples at the top of the organization can help reduce organizational politics. When leaders are nonpolitical in their actions, they demonstrate in subtle ways that political behavior is not welcome. Another way of reducing the extent of political behavior is for individuals and the organization to share the same goals, a situation described as goal congruence. Politics can sometimes be constrained by a threat to discuss questionable information in a public forum. People who practice devious politics usually want to operate secretly and privately. Hiring people with integrity will help reduce the number of dysfunctional political players. References should be checked carefully with respect to the candidate’s integrity and honesty.