discussion question for class organizational development

I would like for you to think and write about the power dynamics of your organization, looking at these dynamics from an organizational perspective and from the perspective of your individual department (whichever level is easiest for you to assess). Out of respect for the organization, you should keep the name of the company out of the discussion.

Think about and identify the network of power within your organization (e.g. the critical relationships and sources of power people rely on to manage those relationships). You should also identify and discuss how your department and respective leaders/managers fit into that organizational analysis. You should also compare this power structure against the formal organizational chart, which identifies the formal organizational network of power and supposed influence. You are to identify differences that suggest where the real power lies and think about why those differences exist. Within the context of your analysis and discussion you are to assess how the power dynamics affects the organization from an organizational culture and organizational effectiveness perspective. And, think about how an OD professional would engage in identifying and diagnosing the impact of these power dynamics.

The second component of this discussion board is your describing a recent interaction in your professional life where power and politics played a role. Then describe the type of power used and whether it was positive or negative. Explain the political dynamic and whether it was balanced or extreme. Was the interaction engaged by an individual who had legitimate power via his or her position or an individual who has assumed power?

The third component of this discussion board is how do you think the situations you have describe impact the organization being its best, or does the power distribution negatively impact the organization reaching its goals?

And the fourth component of this discussion is to examine how power and politics is impacting global change in today’s challenging environment.