Power, Politics and Change

As the economic crisis deepens, the need for talented and savvy Change Managers becomes ever more critical. With political activity in organisations on the increase, the ability to understand and navigate the political dimension becomes vital. This workshop and masterclass has been designed with this in mind — to focus on building our competence at "Influencing Others" (read Crunch Time for Change Managers).

The CMI is pleased to announce that on the 27th September, Colin Gautrey will be conducting a workshop and masterclass for our members in Sydney. Colin is an expert in this domain and has many insights and experiences which can help us all to manage change more effectively.

The workshop in the morning will help you to understand political activity in your workplace and provide insight into practical things that you can do to respond to this. In the afternoon, the masterclass will help you to learn how to tap into the power within your organisation, and to manage your influence strategically.

We look forward to seeing you on the 27th!

Caroline Perkins, CMI.

Workshop: Politics, Change and Influencing Others, 09:00 - 12:30

Session 1: Political Games and Dirty Tricks

Understanding the reality of the political activity around your work allows you to begin to navigate the political dimension effectively. This session will explore the territory and help you to identify specific tactics that others use to frustrate your endeavour. It will provide you with some best practice approaches to minimising the damage and helping move your change agenda forward with integrity.

• Reality of organisational politics in change management
• Psychology behind political activities
• Popular Dirty Tricks in the workplace
• Sharing and building the Dirty Tricks of Change catalogue
• Practical ways to counter these games and Dirty Tricks

While stimulated by leading research in this area, this session will provide the group with the opportunity to share and learn from each other. To be forewarned it to be forearmed — this session will turn on your political radar and help you to make things happen more effectively.

Session 2: Developing Political Skills

Being able to influence others — to exercise political skill -- is rapidly becoming recognised and a key differentiator for the most successful individuals. This session will expand your understanding of this critical dimension of the CMI competency model, based on bespoke research of the CMI population and help you to determine how to develop your own performance (take part in the research).

• Explore Political Skill research
• Mapping this to the CMI Influencing Others competency
• Developing practical behavioural indicators
• Assessing your own political skill
• Identifying personal development opportunities

By orientating yourself towards influencing as a distinct skill, you will be able to hone and align your natural abilities towards moving things forward with ease, while also identifying where you could be even better!

More info | Book Workshop (through the CMI)

Masterclass: Power and Strategic Influence, 14:00 - 17:30

Session 1: Organisational and Personal Power

Power is the major currency which makes organisations function. But what is it, where is it and how much have you got? This session will use interactive techniques to explore this critical topic and help you to understand the dynamics of power around your work.

• Identifying power and understanding its impact
• Learning how to notice power in action
• Discover your own power sources
• Becoming comfortable with your power
• Leveraging more power and developing your base

By becoming appropriately more powerful you will be able to successfully influence others with less energy and effort, and also identify the relationships you need to foster and develop to become more influential.

Session 2: Strategic Influencing

Building a campaign of action to move forward an important issue in your work is the ultimate expression of political skill in the workplace. This session will help you to embed the whole day into an extremely practical approach to make things happen.

• Clarifying your influencing challenge
• Identifying stakeholders who have power and impact
• Diagnosing your relationship and their position
• Developing a strategic approach to influencing
• Alternative approaches to dealing with adversaries
• Best practise approaches to each type of stakeholder

Those with political skill make strategic influence a priority in their day to day work. Irrespective of the challenge to which is it applied, it will constantly provoke new action and quickly make you more influential on what matters most to you and your organisation.

More info | Book Masterclass (through the CMI)

Who should attend?

Change Agents and Managers who wish to build their capability to understand and influence in the political dimension of their organisation.

Preparation...

No special preparation is required, however we encourage delegates to take part in Colin's research into Influencing Skills. With sufficient numbers, Colin will then be able to report back on the critical elements that Change Managers believe are required to be successful (click here to get involved)

Facilitator...

Colin Gautrey: author, coach and facilitator specialising in power and influence. Colin coaches and trains executives around the world and is co-author of "21 Dirty Tricks at Work" and "Political Dilemmas at Work"

Details...

Workshop: Politics, Change and Influencing Others

Format: Interactive Workshop
Venue: Vibe Hotel, Goulborn St. Sydney
Date: 27th September 2008
Times: 09:00 - 12:30 (registration 08:30)
Cost: $245 (inc GST);

More info | Book Workshop (through the CMI)

Masterclass: Power and Strategic Influence

Format: Interactive Masterclass
Venue: Vibe Hotel, Goulborn St. Sydney
Date: 27th September 2008
Times: 14:00 - 17:30 (registration 13:30)
Cost: $295 (inc GST);

More info | Book Masterclass (through the CMI)