1. The Politics of Backstabbing
Case Incident
The Politics of
Backstabbing

2. Ms Natasha Jumani Mr Athar Bukhari Mr Adnan
Group Members
Ms Natasha Jumani Mr Athar Bukhari Mr Adnan

3. The Politics of Backstabbing
Case Incident
The Politics of Backstabbing
Bhargava- Assistant Manager
Colleague- Assistant Manager

4. Case Incident The Politics of Backstabbing
Internal Sales Representative
External Sales Representative

5. Objectives By the end of this presentation, we would be able to:
Discuss organizational politics
List the factors that lead to illegitimate political behavior
Describe the steps to reduce illegitimate political behavior
Explain the obvious effects on perpetrators and on organization as whole

6. Politics: Power in Action
Political Behavior
Activities that are not required as part of one’s formal role in the organization, but that influence, or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages or disadvantages within the organization
Legitimate Political Behavior Normal everyday politics
Illegitimate Political Behavior Extreme political behavior that violates the implied rules of the game

7. Question 1
What factors, in addition to those cited here, do you believe lead to illegitimate political behaviors such as backstabbing?

8. Factors That Influence Political Behaviors

9. Question 2
Imagine that a colleague is engaging in illegitimate political behavior toward you. What steps might you take to reduce or eliminate this behavior?

10. Steps to reduce or eliminate illegitimate political behavior
If you know of someone who is whispering things behind your back or doing things to jeopardize your livelihood, try to get all the facts you can so that you can eventually dispute any wrong information. Do not get emotional. Stay calm and logical. Analyze the situation. DO NOT analyze a backstabber’s psychology. Your boss (or boss's boss) will look much more favorably to a cool, well-collected individual who is able to present the facts without bringing any personal issues to the table.
Step 2
Especially if the backstabber is circulating rumors and gathering people against you, you should try to get some people on your side as well. Don't leave your friends in the dark. Let them know exactly what is happening and try to gain some sympathy. These friends will can not only help in giving you some moral comfort, but possibly also help to dispel rumors or false information about you.

11. Steps to reduce or eliminate illegitimate political behavior Cont…
Try to be on good terms with your immediate supervisor, manager, and those higher up as well. It's a lot harder for a backstabber to kill you off when you have friends in high places.
Step 4
While it is possible to start rumors about the backstabber, your really shouldn't do this. It will only hurt you in the long run. People have less respect for these kinds of people and it could also become a part of your character (i.e., "habit makes character").

12. Steps to reduce or eliminate illegitimate political behavior Cont…
It's also possible to confront the backstabber, but be careful about this as it could further ignite the situation. You could politely ask about certain facts, but do not get personal.
Step 6
In case the backstabber is successful, you should always have some option(s) available (or at least an idea of an option) in case it becomes unbearable at the current workplace. If the backstabber is making it unbearable and you've exhausted all your options, it just may not be worth the effort to suffer through the pain any longer. It's very tempting to shoot back at the backstabber in your exit interview, but DO NOT do this. Instead, be very polite and indicate that you are leaving to explore other opportunities. That way, you won't leave any negative traces at this company that other potential employers could ask about. Also, this would leave the door open for your return to the company in the event that the environment changes (e.g., the backstabber leaves or is fired).

14. Question 3
Do you believe that it is ever justifiable to engage in illegitimate political behavior such as backstabbing? If so, what are some conditions that might justify such behavior?
No!!! Illegitimate political behavior such as backstabbing are not justifiable in any condition. In long run, it is harmful for the perpetrator.

15. Question 4
In addition to the obvious negative effects of illegitimate political behavior on victims, such as those described in this case, what might be some negative effects on the perpetrators and on the organization as a whole?

16. Employee Responses to Organizational Politics

17. Negative Effects on the Perpetrators
The extreme illegitimate forms of political behavior pose a real risk on the perpetrators:
Loss of trustworthy relationships in the organization
Perpetrator competency would be always questionable
Close observations by heads to ensure that perpetrators are really working
Loss of organization membership in long run if habit continues

18. Negative Effects on the Organization
The extreme illegitimate forms of political behavior pose a real risk on the organization:
Reduced performance by the employees leads to decrease productivity of the organization
Increased turn over rate could be costly for the organization
Decrease job satisfaction would decrease organization productivity

19. Summarization By the end of this presentation, we were able to:
Discuss organizational politics
List the factors that lead to illegitimate political behavior
Describe the steps to reduce illegitimate political behavior
Explain the obvious effects on perpetrators and on organization as whole

20. Reference
CHIN. J., (2007) Backstabbing: Analyze the Situation, not the Backstabber. Retrieved from
Robbins,S.P., Judge, T.A., Sanghi, S. Organizational behavion 13th Edition
Traqqer (2008) How to Deal with a Backstabbing Co-Worker. Retrieved from

21. Q/A