WORK OR WAIT FOR CHANGE

"Nothing is irreparable in politics."

Jean Anouilh, 20th century French playwright.

True in all forms of politics; office, personal, as well as governance.

The message is, whatever you don't currently approve of won't be around forever.

You have recourse.

You can work for change or wait for it, the choice is yours.

IT'S NOT JUST HILL AND DONALD, FAR FROM IT

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Plato, 5th century BC Greek philosopher.

An appropriate thought as we move closer to hearing the final death rattle of this year's US election season.

No matter what you do for a living, what church you attend, what sports team your child is on, regardless of which groups of humans you associate with, you experience politics.

If you think you don't, if you believe you can stay out of the political drama that impacts your groups, you will, as Plato says you will, ultimately be lead by those you consider to be your inferiors.

Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. 

Either way, if you don't participate in the governance of your groups, it is them, not you, who will govern you.

CORPORATE WARS

"Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves."

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) British essayist.

War takes many forms including that where the only weapons are words, plotting, and schemes.

At work we call this office politics.

You will be involved, sometimes willingingly, sometimes not.

Do your best to recognize when you are, to stop, to minimize what is of so little value to anyone.

WASTED RESOURCES YOU DON'T HAVE TO WASTE

"In politics the middle way is none at all."

John Adams (1735-1826) Second President of the United States.

"Politics" in business is a different sort.

It is the often not so subtle maneuvering to gain advantage over those we should view as allies: our coworkers.

Note to CEO's: You can't stop it; office politics is all pervasive. However do everything in your power to stop it.

It is wasted resources that should be directed toward your customers and competition.

GOT YOUR BACK OR WATCH YOUR BACK?

"We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end."

Woodrow T. Wilson

Twenty-eighth President of the USA

There are three areas of potential focus for employees of any company.

1. Internal on each other.
2. External on the competition.
3. External on the customer.

The first is mostly office politics.

If you work in an environment where 1 is prevalent over 2 and 3, in addition to you being unhappy, the company is doomed.

SNAKE BIT

"Propaganda is a soft weapon; hold it in your hands too long, and it will move about like a snake, and strike the other way."

Jean Anouilh

20th century French playwright

And make no mistake about it, propaganda is as much reality in business as it is in politics.

Watch out least the snake you hold turns and bites you.

Yes I Did Didn't I!

"Political success is the ability, when the inevitable occurs, to get credit for it."

Lawrence J. Peter

20th century Canadian teacher/writer

I'm certain Mr. Peter was talking about government politics when he said this but it applies equally well in business.

Strike that.

Even more so in business.

I'll Tell You What I Think

"Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance."

Plato

3rd century BC Greek philosopher

How appropriate towards the end of this political season where once again there is far too much of two of these, not nearly enough of the third.

And don't think this is just confined to politics.  It's not.

Every aspect of our lives is based more on opinion and ignorance than knowledge.

We just don't act as though that were true.

The Political Manager

"Politics is the art of the next best."

Otto von Bismarck

19th century Prussian German statesman

Whether in government or business, the term "politician" more suggests manipulation than management.

More often the first, much less the second.

Do your coworkers see you as a politician?

Who You Know Or What You Know?

"I realized that talent would get me as far as middle management, but beyond that point it would become a matter of politics and currying favor with bosses."

Masahario Origuchi

Japanese businessman

Those who know Origuchi-san well will not be surprised by this statement.  His business history is, shall we say, colorful.

However there are many who firmly believe in and practice the power of office politics.

What about you?

Funny Until It's You

"Politics is the entertainment branch of industry."

Unknown

Entertainment when it's you and not me but when you are in the center of a political issue at work, there's nothing entertaining about it.

How do you handle office politics?

Office Gossip: "Did You Hear . . . ?"

"One who is too wise an observer of the business of others, like one who is too curious observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity."

Alexander Pope
18th century English poet

What is the ratio of time you spend thinking/talking about your customers, competition, co-workers?

What do you think is the value of doing the first two versus the last?

Office Politics: Is It Ever a Good Thing?

"To succeed in politics, it is often necessary to rise above your principles."

Anon
Greek Philosopher

This day after our national election it seemed appropriate to have a political quote; one that absolutely fits the political scene and whether we want to admit it or not, often office politics as well.

One person in a company, no politics. Two people, arguably no politics (although I believe it is politics when one tries to manipulate the other.) Three or more; you've got politics with the only questions being, how much?

Is the presence of office politics automatically bad?

Management: Office Politics, the 5th Column

"A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth."

Adlai Stevenson

We all know the double meaning of "politician". One who holds public office or attempts to as well as someone who will say and do what they need to to get elected no matter what is best for the electorate. And when we use this term in business ("office politics") we are talking about much the same; a person who will do and say what is necessary to advance their agenda no matter what is best for the company.

I work with dozens of companies each year and based on that I have to say that office politics is the single most debilitating issue affecting corporate performance bar none. However, while extremely bad for the company, it is relative easy to spot and address presuming senior management is willing to do so.

How is it in your company and what (if anything) is done to keep it to a minimum?