Organizational politics are informal, unofficial, and sometimes behind-the-scenes efforts to sell ideas, influence an organization, increase power, or achieve other targeted objectives. Harvard Business Review (2017) refers to organizational politics as a variety of activities associated with the use of influence tactics to improve personal or organizational interests and introduces you to four metaphoric domains: the weeds, the rocks, the high ground, and the woods. Each has different rules for skillful navigation.

Navigating the domains involves awareness of two crucial dimensions. First is the level of political action that takes place. Political dynamics begin with the individual person and their own political skills. These evolve into group-level behaviors. At the opposite end of the dimension is the broader context. This is where politics operates at the organizational level.

The second dimension of the political landscape is the degree to which the source of power is soft (informal) or hard (formal). Soft power is implied, making use of norms, relationships, and influence. Political interest based on "hard," formal, or explicit power pulls upon role authority, expertise, directives, and reward/control mechanisms. These two dimensions of power can offer people items to pass through the four metaphoric domains.

Assignment Instructions

Utilize what you have learned from this week's reading resources to map the political terrain utilizing the four metaphoric domains: the weeds, the rocks, the high ground, and the woods. Use theMapping the Political Terrain template.

Develop a fictional/or use a real organization and provide the following information:

• Name the organization and identify the services or products it provides or manufactures.
• The number of workers employed.
• The location of the company and whether it is global or not.

Map the political terrain utilizing the four metaphoric domains: the weeds, the rocks, the high ground, and the woods. Then cre..ate and describe four fictional employees who fit each metaphoric domain (one employee per domain). Add each character's name to the appropriate domain.