Open secret. Work politics........

Today I am going to write about an open secret. Work politics.

When I thought about this topic, I started reading a lot of document on work politics and I did talk to my peers, managers and reports as well. I asked my reports do you this we have politics in our organisation? They said yes. I asked why? Some people good with managers are getting undue advantages. I asked to my peers, they asked do you want hear from my month? It is obvious man all are politicians, look at this guy, he himself no sure what is he doing but he is in managers good book. Asked my manager too, he also agreed.

Next thing I asked everyone except my manager, are you involved in politics? They had a shock in their face. You mean me. 

Couple of month before, I had session with a senior manager for all my department managers on work politics. Facilitator have asked, does politics there in this organisation? Since all managers present in this session, most people had a politically correct answer, Yes and a no. One intelligent person said, there are good and bad politics. But no clear definition for both.

Let’s understand what is work politics? Influencing for an outcome. Now tell me who is not involved in politics. What is good work politics? Influencing for organisations benefit.  When I say organisation, if it company, it is ABC Company. My manager used to ask us to do over time or handle complex project. As if I am the only one who can deliver that task. He gives a pat on the back and assigns the task. So my good manager also a politician.  It could be jargons like stake holder management, Influencing skill, Negotiation skills.

Let’s move to bad politics. Influencing for personal out come. It is more like you scratch my back, I will scratch yours. Have you seen this situation in your work life? It could be gossips, Manipulations, Games like Divide and Conquer. Supervisors set his/ her employees set against each other to save his power. Or        Sandbagging, negotiate  for less target and achieve it for better bonus. Or lobbying for mutual benefit.

Politics has such an importance in our work life but we don’t make it transparent about work politics. It is the fact that certain people in the organisation hold more power than others, either through hierarchy or some other influence. All of individuals and teams compete for limited resources; this can lead to a kind of "tribal conflict" where teams compete to satisfy their needs and objectives, even when this is against the greater good.

It is the fact of place that politics is exist in our work place. The question is do you except the  reality and work towards that? So how do to make the work politics for you. First one, be a better politician, could be bad or good, set your priorities and influence others for your goal.

So how do we deal this? Be a politician. I dont think openly anyone will agree. But it is not advisable that you are ignoring work politics and people involved in work politics.

Decisions are made outside the boardroom – an anonymous said. It is important that you understand clearly what informal organisation structure is actually making decision. Build relationship with actual influencers based on trust and respect. Listen to everyone carefully than speaking. Be access to information, improve difficult relationship. Dont align to a group but be friendly with everyone.

Importantly neutralize negative play - Understand what motivates these people and what their goals are, and so learn how to avoid or counter the impact of their negative politicking.

Positive or negative – politics happens. The philosopher Plato said, "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Be aware of politics around you and practice to tackle it well to acquire the deserved position. Don’t ever afraid of negative politics, The expression, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" applies perfectly to office politics.  Let’s educate our self work politics!!