Introduction
Agenda setting, mapping the political terrain, networking, and negotiating are four critical skill sets that can significantly improve one’s managerial competencies and practices. They directly affect the way leaders operate in the organizational environment, addressing the issues of professional communication and teamwork. Ultimately, the current essay examines the examples of each of the skill sets and demonstrates how they can be applied for personal and professional growth.
Definitions and Examples
Agenda setting is a series of statements that define a leader’s vision and outline the schedule of necessary activities to achieve a certain objective. In this context, one relevant example is the determination of Paul Maritz, who emphasized an “agenda for change” to unite people with a common incentive (Bolman & Deal, 2017, p. 205). Mapping the political terrain implies a thorough understanding of the current political climate to make weighted decisions. For instance, the initiative to change manual records with automated mechanisms in Belgium was a failure because senior managers failed to assess the political environment (Bolman & Deal, 2017). Networking implies trustworthy relationships between team members and leaders. At the same time, leaders’ failure to understand their subordinates might lead to situations such as the Challenger space shuttle disaster, where communication barriers played a crucial role in the outcome (Bolman & Deal, 2017). Lastly, bargaining/negotiating is critical in the political context because it allows one to find a consensus on the problem via mutual cooperation. The example of Microsoft’s investments shows how effective bargaining can lead to profitability and improved communication.
Conclusion and Reflection
The current essay has explicitly demonstrated the significance of agenda-setting, political terrain, networking, and negotiating. The case of Paul Maritz shows the importance of setting an achievable goal and a relatable vision to motivate other people. The example of manual record integration in Belgium teaches that understanding the political terrain might be the difference between failure and success. The Challenger tragedy reveals that when leaders do not trust nor understand their subordinates, this lack of networking might lead to disastrous outcomes. Lastly, Bill Gates demonstrates an excellent example of value manipulation to gain a negotiating advantage in communication. Ultimately, these are the lessons that I learned from the case studies, and I intend to implement them in my professional practice.
Reference
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership, John Wiley & Sons.