Power and Politics in Organizations
BUSA-41036
This course delves into the intricate dynamics of power and politics within organizational settings. Recognizing the significant influence these factors have on decision-making, relationships, and organizational culture, this course provides a deep understanding of how power is wielded, negotiated, and contested within organizations, and how political processes shape behavior and outcomes.
This course is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of power and politics in organizational contexts and enhance their ability to navigate and leverage these dynamics effectively. Whether you are leading teams, driving change initiatives, or influencing organizational strategy, this course will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to navigate the complex terrain of power and politics and achieve success in your leadership roles.
What you'll learn
- Develop insights into the formal and informal power structures within organizations, including hierarchies, networks, and power bases, and their implications for decision-making, influence, and organizational behavior.
- Cultivate political awareness and acumen to recognize and navigate organizational politics, including understanding hidden agendas, power struggles, and alliances, and leveraging political intelligence to advance personal and organizational interests.
- Learn strategies for exerting influence and building coalitions within organizations, including persuasion tactics, negotiation skills, and coalition-building techniques, to achieve objectives and garner support for initiatives.
- Develop skills in managing and resolving conflicts arising from power struggles and political dynamics within organizations, including mediation techniques, negotiation strategies, and conflict resolution approaches, to foster constructive dialogue and collaboration.
- Understand how power and politics influence organizational change processes, including resistance to change, stakeholder management, and coalition-building strategies, and learn how to navigate political obstacles to drive successful change initiatives.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 10/7/2025
Schedule:
Instructor:
Dawn Andrews
Dawn spent a total of eighteen years at one of the world’s largest energy companies, including leadership roles in labor and employment law, diversity and inclusion, and ethics and workplace culture. Prior to that, she was an attorney at a large international law firm for seven years. Each of these roles afforded Dawn the opportunity to coach, train, and counsel employees from the mailroom to the C-suite on a variety of issues that inform her coaching and training today.
