POLITICS. I recently conducted an informal poll and asked people what the first thing that came to mind was when I said the word. Here are some of the responses:
- Ludacris.
- Fight.
- Vomit.
- Plethora of competing feelings.
- Exhausting.
- Simultaneous rage and fear, and fear is winning.
Based on the above responses, the current political sentiment is not bright. And in case you were wondering, people have pretty much the same sentiment when the word “corporate” is put in front of “politics.” So, whether at work, in the wild, or in the world, we all must contend with politics.
However, politics doesn’t have to be a dirty word. Before you stop reading and cuss at the notion, hear me out. I understand that in society in general and in the workplace, many people have had bad to terrible experiences with other humans in the name of “politics. “However, at its core, politics isn’t positive or negative.
Let’s go back to the etymology of the word. Politics (from Ancient Greek πολιτικά (politiká) ‘is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of status or resources.
And when we fast-forward to modern times, Merriam-Webster (my go-to dictionary) defines politics as: the art or science of government; the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy; the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.
So, how did politics come to have such a negative connotation, and what are we to do about it? The short answer to the first part of that question is humans seeking power to exercise control (versus leadership). There isn’t enough time in the day to elaborate on that, so I will not. Now, the second part of the question: What are some things we can consider to move forward in a more productive and less stressful way?
Firstly, recognizing the neutrality of the word “politics” (if you just had a negative response, go back and read the origin and definition 😊) allows us to approach politics with a fresh perspective, focusing on collaboration, personal growth, and collective progress.
In any organization, there is a natural tendency to foster relationships, and often, those relationships (aka network) can lead to the natural skewing of preference or treatment. Anyone who says it’s not easier to show preference to the people you are in a (positive) relationship with is not being entirely truthful. The work of effective and equitable leaders is to minimize their tendency to skew toward preferential treatment and challenge themselves to aim to consistently do the fair and equitable thing, even if it’s not popular; I know, I know, easier said than done. And that’s why good (productive, fair, inclusive, equitable) leadership is hard. Opinions, frustrations, rumors, etc., can quickly happen, and dynamics shift.
So, as a leader, how do you position yourself as someone who uses politics as intended and helps yourself and the humans you lead navigate more effectively?
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Cultivate Self-Awareness
Start by reflecting on your own behavior. Are you unintentionally contributing to negative behavior? Are you part of the problem or the solution? If you step back from gossip, manipulation, and clique-culture, do you see things start changing? Instead of adding to the political uneasiness of the office, rewire your thinking and aim to build trust and consistently demonstrate integrity and professionalism. -
Create Transparency
Open communication is key. Transparency builds credibility and reduces the opportunity for misunderstandings to fester. When you share your ideas, thought processes, and decisions and encourage others to do the same, people will build trust with their colleagues and create a better work environment. - Strengthen Relationships
We are all busy. But you are never too busy to do the right thing. Getting to work, keeping your head down, and then going home is easy. However, no matter your environment, relationships are your primary currency (whether you know it or not), so you must ensure you have productive ones. While I am not asking for you to take extended lunch breaks with your new work BFF, I am suggesting that you make a point to have friendly conversations and invest time in getting to know the people you are working alongside beyond the output they produce. People who feel seen, heard, and respected will always go above and beyond. -
Champion Fairness and Inclusion
Even if you do not feel like politics negatively impacts you, be cognizant and empathetic of others who feel the negative pressure. Listen to those around you and actively support a positive environment. Be an advocate for fair practices and inclusive policies. Again, when everyone feels seen, heard, and respected, it can reverberate across the organization. -
Align Objectives
Ensure that individual and team goals are aligned with the organization’s mission and vision. This alignment reduces conflicts and fosters a unified approach to challenges. When you create an environment where open and respectful feedback is welcomed, negativity can turn into a healthy debate. It can spark new ideas, refine strategies, and improve decision-making. Often, friction starts when people feel like the organization’s values are too much in opposition to their personal values. I do not believe that to be effective, you must be 100% vision-aligned with the organization you are a part of. If you feel the vision is at odds with your values, the turbulence and “messy” politics are not too far away. So, be honest about what is important to you and if where you are is causing you too much internal friction before you crash and burn. -
It Starts at the Top
The culture of any organization starts at the top. If you are in a leadership position, be sure you are acting with the highest levels of integrity and setting a positive example for the entire organization. Leaders always set the tone. Demonstrate accountability, prioritize the team’s success over personal gain, and recognize those around you for your work. Ultimately, walk the walk.
As you move forward, it is easy to feel disheartened by the weight of politics. It is all around us at work and in the world. However, being conscious and sharing goals (and sometimes feelings) can strengthen your work environment. So, instead of viewing politics as a barrier or a negative word, start building resilience, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking to turn the political pressure into positivity! Embrace the neutrality of the word ‘politics’ and make it productive. The key lies in our collective commitment to better ourselves and support each other – even if we don’t always all agree.
If you want support/thought partnership to help develop your leadership in a practical way and strategies to help build a more inclusive and productive environment, email me at [email protected] to learn more about working with me.
