This activity will help identify the routines, rituals and symbols prevalent in an organization and who uses them. Think of your own organization, or one you are familiar with.

1. Which routines and rituals are most emphasized? How are they enforced (think of the people and systems behind them)?

2. How do the organization’s leaders use language to perpetuate their own values and keep power to themselves and their chosen followers? What does this tell you about the topics that can be debated, and which topics are out of bounds?

3. Who, in the organization, has the most impressive ‘trappings’ of office (size, furnishings, car, expense account, etc.)? What kind of power do these trappings symbolize?

4. Give examples of two people who use gamesmanship to get their own way:

(a) One who does so aggressively;

(b) One who does so by operating craftily and with a low profile. What are they manipulating in these processes?