Collaboration is Today's "Politics"
We have a cast coming out shortly (I think) about politics and decision making. One of the points we make is that you've got to consider politics when you make decisions.
Lots of people complain about organizational politics. Executives spend so much time doing it that they grow accustomed to it, and hearing people complain often just confuses them. They think, "but that's the way things get done..."
Politics are real. If you don't like them, good luck finding an organization where there aren't any. You might as well master them.
Here's something I've learned that might help you think differently about politics: Collaboration is today's politics. You probably don't like "politics" because those decisions, choices, trade-offs, and alliances happen where you can't see them. The antidote to politics is to collaborate with your peers and your team more.
Collaboration is a good thing...even a GREAT thing.
But don't kid yourself. What you call collaboration, a couple of levels below you, they're calling politics. ;-)
I was pulled to the side by a director
I was pulled to the side by a director one day and taught a lesson that has stuck with me through my career. He said, " Remember the three P's, Preseption, Preformance and Politics. I teach that to all my directs and peers. I totally agree.
There are no friends in politics, only
There are no friends in politics, only interest. Understand the other persons interest leads to better collaboration. Hey its just my opinion.
One of my first courses in college was
One of my first courses in college was called "Who Gets What" an entry level Poli Sci course. Its been of benefit my whole career, because that's what the working world is all about. Execs form aliances & partnerships; managers collaborate; and individuals use the dynamics of teamwork to get things done. Labor unions even play a role, since collective bargaining create a body politic strong enough to sway management.
Is Napolean Hill wrong - "You can get
Is Napolean Hill wrong - "You can get everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want in life"?
"Preseption, Preformance and Politics."
"Preseption, Preformance and Politics." What a powerful summary. Thanks bigdaddy!!!
Napolean HIll isn't wrong...but he
Napolean HIll isn't wrong...but he makes assumptions about what it is you want. And, politics can easily be about giving others what they want...knowing that karma suggests you'll have yours at some point.
After all, the definition of adulthood is delayed gratification.
Mark
My 40-year experience in military and
My 40-year experience in military and corporate organizations confirms what you say: politics is a fact of life, often bad, sometimes good, but always present. I disagree, however, that politics and collaboration are necessariloy synonymous. If someone a couple of levels down views all collaboration as politics, he or she should learn to be comfortable a couple of leels down. The savvy manager knows the distinction and understands how and when to engage in each appropriately.
By the way, "politics," as used here, takes a singular verb. You wouldn't say, "[The science of] economics are real" or "Physics are real," would you?
Re my previous post: OK, my typing on
Re my previous post: OK, my typing on this tiny keyboard is lousy. Hope you'll consider content and excuse presentation.