Page 43 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

42 Part 1 • Introduction
MyManagementLab

Go to mymanagementlab.com for the following Assisted-graded writing questions.
1-10 Do all organizations need managers? Explain. 1-12 MyManagementLab Only – comprehensive writing
assignment for this chapter.
1-11 Explain how the 4 functions approach is better than
the roles approach and the skills and competencies
approach for describing what managers do.

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Management Skill Builder BeCOmING pOLITICALLy

ADepT

Anyone who has had much work experience knows that organizational politics exists everywhere. That is,
people try to influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization in their favor.
Those who understand organizational politics typically thrive. Those who don’t, regardless of how good
their actual job skills are, often suffer by receiving less positive performance reviews, fewer promotions, and
smaller salary increases. If you want to succeed as a manager, it helps to be politically adept. Research has
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shown that people differ in their political skills. Those who are politically skilled are more effective in their
use of influence tactics. Political skill also appears to be more effective when the stakes are high. Finally,
politically skilled individuals are able to exert their influence without others detecting it, which is important
in being effective so that you’re not labeled as playing politics. A person’s political skill is determined by
(1) his or her networking ability, (2) interpersonal influence, (3) social astuteness, and (4) apparent sincerity.

PERSONAL INvENTORY ASSESSMENT P I A PERSONAL
INVENTORY
ASSESSMENT
using Influence strategies

Take a look at how well you use influence strategies. This PIA will help you determine how
skillfully you do that and what you need to work on.

Skill Basics • Work on gaining interpersonal influence. People will listen
to you when they’re comfortable and feel at ease around
Forget, for a moment, the ethics of politicking and any negative you. Work on your communication skills so that you can
impressions you might have of people who engage in organiza- communicate easily and effectively with others. Work on
tional politics. If you want to become more politically adept in developing a good rapport with people in all areas and at all
your organization, follow these steps:
levels of your organization. Be open, friendly, and willing
• Develop your networking ability. A good network can to pitch in. The amount of interpersonal influence you have
be a powerful tool. You can begin building a network will be affected by how well people like you.
by getting to know important people in your work area • Develop your social astuteness. Some people have an
and the organization and then developing relationships innate ability to understand people and sense what they’re
with individuals in positions of power. Volunteer for thinking. If you don’t have that ability, you’ll have to work
committees or offer your help on projects that will be at developing your social astuteness by doing things such
noticed by those in positions of power. Attend important as saying the right things at the right time, paying close
organizational functions so that you can be seen as a attention to people’s facial expressions, and trying to deter-
team player and someone who’s interested in the organi- mine whether others have hidden agendas.
zation’s success. Start a file list of individuals that you
meet, even if for a brief moment. Then, when you need • Be sincere. Sincerity is important to getting people to want
advice on work, use your connections and network with to associate with you. Be genuine in what you say and do.
others throughout the organization. And show a genuine interest in others and their situations.