Power and Politics at Work
When
22 Jan 2026
Time
8:15AM-10:30AM
Arrival
8:15 AM
Where
The Leela Ambience, Gurgaon
For whom
CHRO Forum
Departure
10:30 AM
Overview
Key Takeaways
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Power and Politics at Work
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When decisions turn political, do you know where power really sits in your organisation?
Over years in one company, corporate professionals often develop camaraderie, a sense of ownership and personal loyalty, a ‘hive mind.’ Professor Anand Vijayasankaran argues that organisations cannot be blindly trusted because they are ultimately self-serving and will enforce their will over employees. This session promises to be an unconventional ‘anti-management course’ that encourages managers and leaders to think for themselves. The discussion will critically analyse stalwarts of large multinationals and use select industries as case studies, then translate the insights into a clear framework for managers and CHROs. The session will cover how to set the agenda, frame choices and select cases that build judgment, and it will link these ideas to social capital and boardroom dynamics. The core message is simple: watch your back and encourage others to watch theirs.
Key Takeaways
Map formal and informal power, including gatekeepers, coalitions and boardroom dynamics to surface blind spots
Set agendas by framing issues, sequencing choices and clarifying decision rights
Apply a clear action framework with guardrails across hiring, performance, investigations and restructuring, reinforced through case-based learning
Audit social capital and practise risk hygiene through documentation, boundaries and clear escalation paths
Speakers
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