OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Political Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the political frame
2. Apply the political frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

I serve as the Assistant Store Manager at a Starbucks location within a retail complex.
Our store faces operational challenges, including long customer wait times, high staff
turnover, internal tension, sustainability issues, and ethical complaints. My role involves
managing daily operations and assisting the Store Manager in decision-making.

2) Describe how the politics of the organization influenced the situation.

The politics in our Starbucks store have been wild. There's this unspoken tension between
different groups of baristas. Some feel they're carrying a heavier load while others skate
by. It's like a little power struggle happening, especially during busy hours. Plus, there's
this underlying competitiveness for recognition and promotions.

3) Recommend how you would use organizational politics for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

Given the political landscape, the first step would be to facilitate open dialogue. I'd set up
regular team meetings where everyone has a say. This way, concerns and suggestions get
heard, and it's harder for any one group to dominate. It creates a level playing field for all
voices to be heard, which can significantly reduce the power struggles and foster a more
inclusive environment.

Next, to address the competitiveness, I'd establish a transparent recognition system based
on performance metrics. This would be something everyone can work towards, and it
would eliminate favoritism. By clearly outlining the criteria for recognition, it levels the
playing field and ensures that rewards are distributed based on merit rather than political

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 maneuvering. This system also provides a clear roadmap for career advancement,
reducing the uncertainty and potential for conflicts over promotions.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

Looking back, I realize I didn't give enough attention to the politics within the store. I
tended to focus more on operations and individual performance. Now, I see how crucial it
is to understand and address these underlying power dynamics.

In the future, I'd be more proactive in fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture. I'd
pay closer attention to the unspoken tensions and try to mitigate them before they
escalate. Navigating organizational politics is a delicate balance, but it's a crucial aspect
of ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment.

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 Reference or References
(Choose appropriate Title if Applicable and Delete the Rest)