Course Rationale: This important topic is of use to all those who are interested in building positive political skills.

Course Description: This Special Topics course in the Field of Business and Organizational Studies, subtitled Corporate and Organizational Politics, focuses on politics work and how to become efficient, powerful and effective rather than simply being affected by the self-interest in ones' environment. Students will spend three weekends participating in the Politics course as provided by the expert training of Dr. Gary Ranker, The Corporate Politics Coach and a Marshall Goldsmith School of Management Thought Leader. Students will cover such topics as...

• Executive coaching and conflict intervention;
• Political skills;
• How to gain a better understanding and control of ones business social environment;
• Political dilemmas at work;
• Behavioral change.

Purpose The intent of this specialty course is to integrate Corporate and Organizational Politics with the graduate program core and align dissertation research potential with program requirements. It is open to students in various disciplines.

Learning Outcomes. In this course, students will learn how to...

1. Identify politics happening around them and how they are affected;
2. Become more strategic about moving within the organization;
3. Build positive political skills;
4. Develop "social antenna" to better navigate through and around competing agendas of others in management;
5. Become more influential, maintain integrity, and bring forward greater career success;
6. Take action in tough political dilemmas;
7. Apply leanings on the key skills required to be successful at resolving political dilemmas

Instructional Strategy: This course deals with specific examples of what you will face in the "real" world. Active participation is expected, in which students are encouraged to share real world experiences of political dilemmas. Apply content form the course reading and materials to the context of the class discussions and writings.

This six day course was aimed at Organizational Psychology PhD. students at Marshall's School in Alliant University, San Diego.

The course was facilitated by Dr. Gary Ranker with key contributions from Colin Gautrey and Keryl Egan.

Colin's contribution included...

• Political Games and Dirty Tricks
• Organizational Power
• Personal Power
• Influencing Styles

"Thank you again for coming all the way over to meet with us. It was an invaluable experience and a lot of fun. I learned quite a bit and was reminded of a lot more. Your demeanor and energy kept an intense day and half interesting and engaging." Kopitzee Parra-Thornton, Director, Thought Leader Partnership, Marshall Goldsmith School of Management, Alliant International University, San Diego. November 2008.

"I wanted to thank you again for such an engaging experience last weekend, you brought experiencial learning to the next level!" Robert Major Jr. Director of Human Resources, Consolidated Healthcare Services following Colin's work on the Marshall Goldsmith School of Management (Alliant University) module on Corporate Politics. November 2008.

If you would like to offer your group this course, run by Gary, Keryl and Colin, please contact us for an discussion.