We don't have to watch too much political news coverage before we are reminded of the presence of politics in our own organizations. Most people find a negative connotation when it comes to organizational politics, but our roles as leaders require influence - - and to influence others requires building relationships of trust and persuading others to follow us. That's what politics are all about.
We can leverage political skills to manipulate others, or to influence them to achieve more than they thought possible. It is up to us.
The Foundation
- It almost all comes down to relationships. When we struggle to get our way, we can so easily criticize others for being overly-political or playing dirty tricks. While it can be the case that others are unfair in their practices, it can also be that we lose sight of the value of diversity of thought and different ways of seeing...
When we gain some organizational power, we must be careful to use it to influence not to get our own way, but the way that will ultimately be best for the organization and for achieving our own personal mission (which must be focused on making a difference beyond meeting our own needs).
Guideposts
Here are a few recommendations on organizational politics. Vote for which ones you find most useful and make additional recommendations at the bottom of this lens.
Spend more time with opponents
Opponents are people who we trust, but who don't agree with us on our approach to a problem. Most of us spend time with our allies, who we trust and who agree with us... when the people we have the most to learn from are our opponents (high trust/low agreement). See Block's The Empowered Manager for more on this.2 points
Don't take things personally
The best thing I got out of the book, The Four Agreements, was the wonderful advice to never take anything personally. It is incredibly freeing and minimizes our egos - - and can help us keep focused on a personal and/or an organizational vision and mission. It is our choice whether or not we will personalize things that happen.2 points
Reframe the situation
We can assume that it is "all about us;" or we can recognize that much of politics is about people working to get things done with a diverse community of interests.1 point
Consider the power dynamic
Recognize that power can come in the forms of legitimate, referent, reward, expert, and coercive power (French and Raven). Much of politics is based on power - and who's got it.0 points
Build on mutually beneficial interlocking relationships
The better we are at building relationships, the better we will be at organizational politics.0 points
Consider being "political" as an act of service
When we strive to be more political in order to serve others, to make a contribution, and to create something meaningful, it sure makes building our skills worthwhile.0 points
Focus on interests, not on positions
In Getting to Yes, we're told to care more about people's interests and to ask more why questions, versus how questions. Why is this person (or group) interested in X? What are they looking to achieve?0 points
Recommendations: Books on Organizational Politics
The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work by Peter Block
Wonderful book on managing so many relationships a more...1 point
Informal Coalitions: Mastering the Hidden Dynamics of Organizational Change by Chris Rodgers
Fantastic book on organizational change with two r more...1 point
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The second highest selling non-fiction book of all more...1 point
Exercising Influence: A Guide For Making Things Happen at Work, at Home, and in Your Community by B. Kim Barnes
Focus on influence, not control, in accomplishing more...0 points
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson
Handle the inevitable conflict that will arise.0 points
Enlightened Office Politics by Michael Singer Dobson
Do organizational politics different.0 points
Positive Politics: Overcome Office Politics & Fast-Track Your Career (Making It Happen) by Mark Holden
It can be done a different way; organizational pol more...0 points
Organizational Politics Links
Enjoy these links, vote for your favorites, or suggest some additional ones.
Informal Coalitions
Overview of a terrific book on the subject.1 point
www.organizationalpolitics.org
Great site with lots of information.0 points
Bureaucracy and Organizational Politics
If you're familiar with systems thinking, this one more...0 points
Coping with Office Politics
Relationship-focus.0 points
Career Firm's advice
Great article.0 points
Power and Office Politics
Another great article.0 points
CareerLink: Surfing Office Politics
Thrive in your career and leverage organizational more...0 points
Other Advice
How to navigate organizational politices - advice from our community
Take a minute or two to give your advice on how to succeed in organizational politics, while maintaining your integrity and ethics.
by Bonni
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