Politics: Unveiling the Constructive Force: Transforming a Perceived Negative into a Catalyst for Triumph
Robert C. Satterwhite, holding a PhD, serves as a partner at the executive search firm Odgers Berndtson and heads the Leadership Advisory Practice.
In the world of business, politics sometimes carries a negative image, often associated with unscrupulous behavior such as seeking personal gain or playing games behind the scenes. However, according to a 2017 Harvard Business Review article, workplace politics aren't inherently malicious. They revolve around employees building relationships and boosting their influence, which is crucial for driving positive change and bringing about favorable outcomes.
When leaders view office politics in a one-dimensional light, they risk overlooking their advantages. To engage productively with office politics, the key is to approach the situation from a perspective that transcends personal ambitions.
Avoiding Politics Ain't an Option
Based on my 25 years of interviewing numerous business professionals, I know that influence is a significant challenge for leaders at all levels. While I've previously discussed the importance of influence for success, establishing it can be tough, especially when dealing with colleagues or superiors. This often leads to grappling with office politics, even though shying away from them can result in negative consequences.
For instance, I worked with a leader who refused to attend dinners with his peers during business trips. He viewed such events as just politicking and didn't consider the fact that humans are social animals who constantly evaluate their standing within a group. Even in a rapidly evolving workplace, informal social events help employees maintain equilibrium.
Sitting on the sidelines of office politics is not an option for any leader seeking success. Remaining on the outskirts may hinder your understanding of organizational dynamics, jeopardizing your ability to drive positive change.
Certainly, I've encountered many leaders with a flawed approach to office politics and influence. They regard it as a zero-sum game that they must emerge victorious from, which often leads them to become excessively reliant on a single source of influence. For example, a leader who always leverages data to gain influence may not see the desired results if the targeted stakeholder doesn't value data. However, if this leader struggles to envision an alternative, they might just double down on this ineffective strategy.
Engaging in office politics productively necessitates understanding your audience. As leadership experts Allan Cohen and David Bradford explain in Influence Without Authority, you must be able to identify and tap into what's essential to each individual. They refer to this knowledge as “currency,” and politics help you comprehend what their currency is.
Three Principles for Engaging in Positive Politics
During a conversation with Jason Osterhage, CEO of Everwise Credit Union, we explored shattering common misconceptions around office politics. We zeroed in on three key principles.
1. Ambition is good, but know where it belongs. While some professionals misuse the term "ambition" for personal gain, effective leaders channel it positively by prioritizing the organization and their team's needs. For instance, a marketing leader who develops a new digital marketing strategy that allows her team to enhance their skills and boost sales benefits the organization and her team first, showcasing her abilities and advancing her career.
2. Agendas are vital for success, but they must be clear and consistent. An effective, positive agenda aligns everyone on the current operational model and future requirements. However, many people perceive agendas as concealed motives. Successful leaders share transparent agendas that illustrate the objectives and benefits to the organization, communicating them consistently across various business units to avoid working at cross-purposes or in opposition to the overall strategy and goals.
3. Winning is good, but it has to be a win-win. This principle may sound cliche, but it's crucial for positive politics. A wise leader recognizes that their win should not come at someone else's expense. Instead, they seek ways for everyone to win, including the organization as a whole. Even in situations where a win-win situation appears impossible, they can perceive the positive in someone else's success. For example, if your budget isn't fully approved, it might mean more funds are being allocated to a product area with significant potential to propel the business forward.
These principles offer a robust framework for engaging in positive politics. Since this approach is integral to a company's culture, it cannot exist in isolation. By consistently modeling these behaviors and encouraging your team to embody them, your organization's leaders can foster a mindset that empowers everyone to flourish.
Our Website Technology Council is an exclusive, invitation-only community for esteemed CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Are you suitable for this council?
Robert Satterwhite, the PhD-holding partner at Odgers Berndtson, could benefit from understanding the positive aspects of office politics to effectively lead his team and drive change within the Leadership Advisory Practice.
Influential leaders like Robert Satterwhite should consider office politics not as a zero-sum game, but as an opportunity to understand their audience and align their strategies with their colleagues' "currencies" to achieve success.
