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

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

I was a barista for 5 out of the 7 years I have been working at starbucks. Starbucks is my
second job ever. My previous job was for LA County. It was an easy receptionist job. My
boss at the time always told me that I would make a great manager some day. Fastforward, I
got hired at Strabucks. I was always intimidated to work there and it was my last resort. I
didn’t believe that I could multitask the way they did so reluctantly applied. I got the job
doen faster than expected and became a strong partner on my team. My boss saw my
potential before I did and started encouraging me to become a shift lead. I kept denying
because I didn’t feel ready. Over time and after many conversations with my boss about it, I
decided to apply for the position. In one month I became a shift lead. I soon realized how
difficult it was eventhough the current leads warned me about it.

I struggled to balance the task aspect and relational aspect of being a leader. It takes a certain
type of person to be a good leader and it also takes certain skills to be efficient at this job. It is
not an easy job and most of it has to do with your people skills and your team. Some skills
necessary to be proficient at are time management, soft skills, conflict resolution, multitask,
communication and doing well under pressure. I would say I am proficient at most of these skills
now but it was a rough start. However, I grew a lot and it tought me to have courage and that I
can overcome my fears and doubts about doing the job well and promoting within.

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

I belive politics played a role in my offer for the promotion. My boss needed help at the
time beucase he was opening a new store and his shift leads were being spread between
two different stores. They saw my potential but there was an agenda and networking
going on on my bosses end in order to meet the needs of the business. He was also
building a partnership with other managers including mine at the time to recruit more
barsitas that were willing to transfer to his store.

The politics were subtle but now that I look back I do see the need for them and how it
benefited me. I see how organizational politics are necessary in order for a business to
run especially retial such as Starbucks. Netowkring and building partnership is huge
within Starbucks. They partner with many brands and organizations using their staus to

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 promote eachothers buisnesses. There must always be an agenda in order for you to
accomplish a goal within business. It acts the same way as planning out a project.

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

An alternative way politics played a role in my situation was how I was recruited. My
previous manager at my first store I initially got hired at went on babyleave and we got a
new manager. Her and I didn’t see eye to eye and we both had strong personalities. I
knew I didn’t care for her in the beginning but no conflict ever occurred between her and
I most likely because she presented me with the opportunity to transfer out to my current
store. The reason being was because my boss needed more baristas due to opening a new
store and she had enough to spare apparently. I belive there was some networking
through the partnership both bosses had with eachother because it was odd she offered it
to me so quickly. I believe they both knew we wouldn’t do well working together so she
left me go to a different store if I wanted.

They worked together as managers using the four political ksills to get what each of them
wanted. The negotiated transferring me in order for my boss to build a team she wanted
and the othe got another baristas as support for his store. A former barista and assistant
manager were also apart of the recruiting process. They welcomed me with so much joy
and made me feel wanted at their store by singing songs and chanting. This all could have
been political but also genuine at the same time.
4)Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.
I am content with how things turned out in regards to where I work now. I knew I
wouldn’t have enjoyed working with my previous manager so I would not have had it
any other way. I felt wanted and appreciated at this new store and I get along great with
my boss now. This political agenda worke din my favor beucase I promoted much
quicker than I would have at my other store which helped me in so many ways and I have
built great relationships with my co-workers and boss.

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 Reference or References
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