This topic is often taboo but needs to be discussed. Let's be honest: Unpleasant things can happen to good people at work. On the other hand, those who we think are not so deserving often reach the top. In short, it appears diligence and honesty alone are not enough. Why?
The work environment is highly competitive. Almost everyone competes for budgets, opportunities to work on more interesting projects, for customers or for resources. And then there's the competition for promotion, prestige, recognition, higher pay and, of course, power. However, the very fact that people make plans and schemes at work illustrates one of the truths of politicking - that it brings results.
And while we're on the subject, here's another truth: politics happens, whether we like it or not. Yes, some people do try to be noble and refuse to play the political game: they focus on their work and work hard in the hope they will be noticed and rewarded for their efforts. That would be nice, but ...
Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities in the world of work, and these types of people are often overlooked or ignored, either by colleagues or important customers or both. It's not deliberate but too many people are trying in vain to move forward without playing a political game.
However, if you find the right buttons to push, your colleagues and customers will give you almost everything you want. If you think you can succeed without playing a political game, you have to wake up.
People in the work environment can generally be divided into two camps:
On the one hand, we have purists - people who focus on their work. They don't like politics and try to work hard. They can be very good at their work and work honestly and diligently, albeit a little naively. They follow rules and regulations, try to do what is "fair" or "right" and feel frustrated when decisions are not "fair" or "right". As they refuse to play politics, they are often used. They end up as organisational martyrs but never do anything about it.
On the other hand, we have players - the exact opposite of purists. While respecting official rules and regulations, they understand that informal policy rules are often more important. They realise decisions are rarely "fair" or "right" and that decision-makers have both personal and professional buttons that need to be pressed. And yes, they may not always be the best in their daily work, but their contacts and influence help them to rise above their purist colleagues on the career ladder.
Many purists refuse to play the political game and believe it requires tactics and calculated actions. But politicking is not automatically bad. It only describes the act of exploring business relationships and learning how to influence others more effectively. It usually involves dealing with informal channels, not officially approved ones, but this in itself does not mean politicking is wrong.
Nor is it necessarily selfish. You can use your understanding of politics to influence people and achieve goals that are good for the organisation and yourself. Even in the friendliest and most supportive organisations, people do not always agree.
Understanding policies and how to influence others can help you connect people and achieve results that are also in the best interests of the organisation.
However, do not try to manipulate or use people. You might end up being tagged with an annoying label that could influence whether people trust you or want to listen to you in future.
Effective politics must be about giving as well as receiving.
So how do you approach this game? Will you stay in the background or learn to play it?
-bb-