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.

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?

The Line Between Politics and Business

"In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill."

Winston Churchill

This is an example of why political thinking does not transfer seamlessly to business.

Resolution, defiance and magnanimity, all suggest absolute attitudes, with war, defeat, victory and peace, all extremes of conflict, losing, winning, and those brief interludes between.

Business is never that all or nothing.

Only goodwill strikes me as largely if not completely applicable.