Assessing power dynamics and politics allows an organization to see who really controls what happens in an organization. Power is not necessarily related to hierarchical position; those in low-level positions can often obtain significant amounts of power and influence behaviors and activities of others in organizations. Politics is a process by which people utilize the power they have in order to influence outcomes in a manner that they desire. How power and politics are utilized in an organization can allow it to achieve its objectives or be self serving obstacles to success.