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Don’t Do Politics? Maybe You Should Start

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 vote3.jpgExecutive recruitment firms are full of talented candidates who cite the reason for their career transition (aka redundancy, resignation or dismissal) as being the politics of their former employer. Many are looking for greener grass -- an organisation where they can perform at their best without demotivating office politics and power struggles. This aspiration is laudable but it's a little naïve. Humans are political by nature. In many respects, political activity is synonymous with influencing activity. Scholars such as Maslow and McClelland have demonstrated that we are hard wired to achieve, if only to put food on the table or to be accepted by supportive social groupings. This requires that we have to influence other people in some way. For many, the difference between influence and politics is found in the underlying intent that motivates the action. In most cases the actions -- and the skills -- are identical. If the intent is orientated towards self-interest, lack of trust pervades and politicking escalates. When the motivation is to move the organisation forward while recognising personal interest, collaboration can flourish. Holding on to the belief that you don’t do politics can create a blind spot which may prevent you from developing positive influencing skills. If this applies to you, reflect on the questions below. There's every possibility that the grass could be greener where you are working now.
  1. When you hear the words "politics" and "influence", what thoughts come to mind?
  2. What are the differences between these words?
  3. What skills are relevant to each?
  4. How good are you with these skills?
  5. In your organisation, what sort of politics dominates the culture?
  6. What is motivating this activity?
  7. Where does trust feature in this?
  8. How well does all this fit with your values and integrity?
  9. Who do you know who is able to survive with the right motivations?
  10. What do they do that you don’t do?
  11. Could you find a way to maintain your integrity and flourish in this climate?
  12. What new things would you have to learn to be able do this?
Those who deny the inevitability of organisational politics are potentially also denying themselves the opportunity to build positive influencing skills which they can use with good intent. "I don’t do politics" is not the answer. (Photo: Theresa Thompson, CC2.0)

posted by Colin Gautrey
January 6, 2009 @ 6:02 am


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