Politics play a central role in all organisations but to this point they have largely been seen as a negative force. Butcher and Clarke expose this as a misunderstanding and show how political behaviour is entirely endemic to managerial activity and how understanding and managing it can have extremely powerful positive effects. They provide an approach to managing politics by balancing personal and organisational interests and show how the centrality of politics to organisational life make it the ideal place from which to change existing patterns of power and influence. Essential reading for directors and senior managers.

DAVID BUTCHER is Director of the General Management Development Programmes Group at Cranfield School of Management and acts as a consultant to a range of top companies including Mars, BP, Ericsson, Morgan Stanley, Williams Formula One and the European Space Agency. He has published widely in journals on business transformation and leadership and speaks frequently at international conferences and company seminars. MARTIN CLARKE is Lecturer in Management Development in the General Management Development Programmes Group at Cranfield School of Management and works as a consultant to a broad range of companies.