Goal of exercise: Critical reflection on the topic of power and influence as applied to a concrete situation from your work-life. Power and influence in organizations is about overcoming obstacles and setbacks. It is important to integrate what we have learned about this in class into your own life experiences. Write a brief (approx.. two page) essay in which you: Describe an organizational situation in which you faced substantial difficulty (for example, you were fired (not laid off, fired), you were demoted, you failed to get a job or a promotion you wanted and thought you deserved, you were embarrassed or lost face because of some situation, etc.).
What did you do that contributed to the problems you experienced? To what extent were the obstacles and difficulties the result of chance events over which you had no control? Based on the course material, what would you do differently if you encountered the same situation today? In other words, what is the learning or what are the ideas that have emerged in the class that you would use to help you in similar situations?