📘 Section 25: Politics, Power, and Getting Things Done

In project management, politics and power dynamics play a crucial role in achieving project success. As a Project Manager, understanding organizational politics, power structures, and how to influence stakeholders is essential for navigating challenges, resolving conflicts, and getting things done.

This section covers how Project Managers can use power and political savvy to ensure project alignment with organizational goals and achieve stakeholder buy-in.

🎯 Understanding Organizational Politics

Organizational politics refers to informal, behind-the-scenes efforts to influence decisions, resources, and outcomes. While the term “politics” often has a negative connotation, it is a natural part of organizational life. Successful Project Managers know how to navigate political landscapes to secure resources and gain support.

✅ Key Skills for Managing Organizational Politics:

• Building relationships with key stakeholders
• Understanding the informal power structures in the organization
• Identifying influencers who can affect your project’s success
• Managing conflicts of interest
• Knowing when and how to escalate issues diplomatically

⚡ Types of Power in Project Management

Power is the ability to influence others. PMI defines several types of power that Project Managers can use to influence stakeholders and drive project success.

✅ 1. Positional Power

Power derived from your formal position or authority in the organization.
Example: As a Project Manager, you have the authority to assign tasks, make decisions, and enforce rules.

✅ 2. Reward Power

Power to reward team members for their work, such as through bonuses, promotions, or recognition.
Example: Recognizing a team member for their exceptional performance can increase motivation and loyalty.

✅ 3. Expert Power

Power derived from knowledge, skills, and expertise.
Example: A Project Manager with deep technical knowledge can influence decisions by providing valuable insights.

✅ 4. Referent Power

Power that comes from being liked, respected, and trusted by others.
Example: A Project Manager who builds strong relationships with stakeholders can gain their trust and influence decisions.

✅ 5. Coercive Power

Power to punish or impose consequences for undesirable behavior.
Example: A Project Manager may use coercive power to enforce compliance with project deadlines.

🧩 Summary Table: Types of Power in Project Management

🔑 Political Savvy: Navigating Power and Politics

Being politically savvy means understanding who holds power, who influences decisions, and how to use power ethically to achieve project goals.

✅ Key Political Savvy Skills:

1. Stakeholder Mapping – Identify stakeholders and understand their level of influence.
2. Building Alliances – Build alliances with influential stakeholders to gain support.
3. Active Listening – Understand stakeholders’ concerns and motivations.
4. Conflict Resolution – Resolve conflicts diplomatically without damaging relationships.
5. Negotiation – Negotiate for resources, support, and approvals effectively.

🎯 Using Power and Politics to Get Things Done

Project Managers can leverage power and political skills to:
✅ Influence stakeholders to support the project
✅ Resolve conflicts between team members or departments
✅ Secure resources for the project
✅ Navigate organizational challenges
✅ Gain stakeholder buy-in for project changes

🧩 Scenario-Based Question Example

💡 Scenario:
You are managing a high-priority project, but a key stakeholder in another department is resisting the project because they believe it will negatively impact their team. You need their support to ensure the project’s success.

What type of power should you use to influence this stakeholder?

A. Coercive Power
B. Positional Power
C. Referent Power
D. Expert Power

✅ Correct Answer:
C. Referent Power

📚 Explanation:
Referent power is based on building trust and strong relationships with stakeholders. In this case, gaining the stakeholder’s trust and addressing their concerns is the best way to secure their support.

🧩 Multi-Choice Question Example

Question: Types of Power

Which two types of power are most likely to build trust and respect with project stakeholders?

A. Positional Power
B. Coercive Power
C. Referent Power
D. Expert Power

✅ Correct Answers:
C. Referent Power
D. Expert Power

📚 Explanation:
Referent power builds trust through relationships, while Expert power builds trust through knowledge and expertise.

📋 Practice Questions: Politics, Power, and Getting Things Done

Here are multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to help you test your understanding of Politics, Power, and Getting Things Done.

📝 Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which type of power is based on the Project Manager’s formal authority within the organization?

A. Referent Power
B. Reward Power
C. Positional Power
D. Expert Power

✅ Answer:
C. Positional Power

📚 Explanation:
Positional power comes from the Project Manager’s official role and authority within the organization.

Question 2:

A Project Manager decides to recognize a team member’s outstanding performance by nominating them for an award. Which type of power is being used?

A. Coercive Power
B. Reward Power
C. Expert Power
D. Referent Power

✅ Answer:
B. Reward Power

📚 Explanation:
Reward power is the ability to motivate team members through recognition, promotions, or incentives.

Question 3:

Which leadership style focuses on building trust and personal connections with stakeholders to influence their decisions?

A. Transactional Leadership
B. Transformational Leadership
C. Referent Power
D. Situational Leadership

✅ Answer:
C. Referent Power

📚 Explanation:
Referent power is based on the trust, respect, and personal relationships that the Project Manager builds with stakeholders.

Question 4:

Which of the following is NOT a type of power recognized in project management?

A. Positional Power
B. Financial Power
C. Expert Power
D. Coercive Power

✅ Answer:
B. Financial Power

📚 Explanation:
There is no “Financial Power” type in PMI’s power categories. The recognized types are Positional, Reward, Expert, Referent, and Coercive Power.

Question 5:

You are managing a project and one of your stakeholders is resistant to a change request. You build a strong relationship with them to gain their trust and cooperation. What type of power are you using?

A. Coercive Power
B. Positional Power
C. Referent Power
D. Expert Power

✅ Answer:
C. Referent Power

📚 Explanation:
Building trust and relationships to gain influence is a form of Referent Power.

Question 6:

A Project Manager is known for having deep technical expertise and is often sought after for advice on project decisions. What type of power is this?

A. Expert Power
B. Positional Power
C. Coercive Power
D. Reward Power

✅ Answer:
A. Expert Power

📚 Explanation:
Expert power is based on the knowledge, skills, and expertise that the Project Manager possesses.

Question 7:

Which two types of power are most likely to harm team morale if used excessively?

A. Reward Power and Expert Power
B. Coercive Power and Positional Power
C. Referent Power and Reward Power
D. Situational Power and Expert Power

✅ Answer:
B. Coercive Power and Positional Power

📚 Explanation:
Coercive power involves punishment, and Positional power can be seen as authoritarian. Excessive use of these can harm morale and engagement.

🧩 Scenario-Based Questions

Scenario 1:

💡 Scenario:
You are managing a project, and a key stakeholder is blocking a critical decision. You realize they are concerned about how the decision will impact their team.

What is the best approach to handle this situation?

A. Use Positional Power to enforce the decision
B. Use Coercive Power to push the decision through
C. Use Referent Power to build trust and address their concerns
D. Ignore the stakeholder’s concerns and move forward

✅ Correct Answer:
C. Use Referent Power to build trust and address their concerns

📚 Explanation:
Building trust and resolving stakeholder concerns is key to ensuring long-term support for your project.

Scenario 2:

💡 Scenario:
You are managing a project where the client wants additional features that are not part of the original scope. Your team is already behind schedule, and the additional work could cause further delays.

What is the best way to influence the client’s decision?

A. Use Expert Power to explain the risks of scope changes
B. Use Coercive Power to prevent the client from making changes
C. Use Positional Power to refuse the change request
D. Use Referent Power to maintain a good relationship and agree to all changes

✅ Correct Answer:
A. Use Expert Power to explain the risks of scope changes

📚 Explanation:
Using Expert Power to provide facts, data, and insights can help stakeholders make informed decisions without damaging relationships.

Scenario 3:

💡 Scenario:
Your project sponsor wants you to hire a specific vendor for an important task, but you believe another vendor would be a better fit. The sponsor has a higher position in the organization.

How should you handle this situation?

A. Use Coercive Power to push your preferred vendor
B. Use Expert Power to present a business case for your recommendation
C. Use Reward Power to incentivize the sponsor to choose your vendor
D. Use Referent Power to build trust and get the sponsor on your side

✅ Correct Answer:
B. Use Expert Power to present a business case for your recommendation

📚 Explanation:
Providing evidence-based recommendations through Expert Power is the most effective way to influence senior stakeholders.