Power and Politics at Work - Annotated Bibliography Example

The paper "Power and Politics at Work" is an outstanding example of a management annotated bibliography. Culture, leadership, and power are related elements for any meaningful change in organizations to achieve formulated goals and visions. To fully understand this, there is a need to define the three terms. There is also an urgent need to differentiate between world culture and organizational culture. In addition, we need to identify the roles each plays in maintaining or spearheading meaningful change to meet the aspirations of any organization. To begin with, Edgar Schein (1985) defines culture in organizational aspects as the assumptions, values, and widely accepted methodology of performing tasks in an organization. Assumptions are based on theories that believe that things ought to be the way they are normally whereas values are what is perceived to be of importance to workers. These are their aspirations which directly impact the production level in attaining aspired organizational goals. The right methodology is perceived as the best widely utilized manner of performing a given task. Organizational culture differs from world culture as the later is believed and widely defined as a people’s way of life that incorporates believes customs, values, and traditions. World culture and organizational culture have a similarity as they can both be passed on from one generation to the other.

Leadership is the skill and approach of getting tasks accomplished based on a formulated vision. (Hofstede, 1983) Contrary to known myths leadership is an art that is learned and perfected over time and is dynamic as different organizations need different approaches in directing an organization’s employees to perform given tasks. Great scholars in the past defined different approaches applied by leaders in attaining organizational goals. These include democratic, authoritarian, laissez-faire, and servant leadership among others. The key elements in leadership are skill and approach. Power is the authority to get things done by other people which can either be attained and/or inherited. (Rowland W. Clement) In organizations power and leadership are used interchangeably as they complement each other. Leadership and roles are defined by the roles and responsibilities assigned to an individual based on his competencies and ability. This is often demonstrated through organizational hierarchical charts that indicate the flow of communication between the different organs that exist in organizations and/or firms which are always specific.