By Shadreck Zangairai
Organizational politics can speed one’s way to the top, but can also ruin one’s career if one is not careful. It’s a two edged sword that has to be handled very carefully lest it can bring bitterness in the organization. It is based on similar principles guiding political conduct or even war. At this point I will take a leaf from Neale Donald Walsch, Author of “Conversations with God’’. The view posits that a person on the mountain top did not get there by falling but had to climb and one cannot get there by climbing over others. It is about climbing with others, side by side and even pulling some others up with you. If you are willing to do this, when you get to your destination, others will be happy you are there-which is what will keep you there’. Quite often, people want to climb to the top by climbing over others. This is suicidal since it can cause one to fall down heavily in the event that those “others” refuse to be stepped upon or steps aside. That is why climbing with others is necessary so as to get support in times of need.
While it’s impossible to eradicate organizational politics, there are several steps that HR practitioners, managers, and leaders can take to minimize its negative impact:
Create an overarching goal. This is a goal that everyone in the organization shares and can be a single, qualitative, time-bound goal such as giving the best service to clients.
Create a set of ongoing operating objectives. This process can be done within each function of the organization to develop a series of high quality operating standards. These standards can be shared across organizational functions.
Create metrics and measure them. One of the most important parts of the process is measure whether the operating objectives are being met or not.
The Law of Power- The law of power postulates that never outshine the master. According to a book by Robert Green: The 48 Laws of Power, always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite-inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.
• Improve your people skills
• Communicate openly and honestly
• Put yourself in your employees’ shoes and understand the landscape
• Collaborate respectfully across departments
• Maintain positive working relationships with all colleagues
• Do not have favourites or give preferential treatment to anyone
• Change your approach if something is not working
• Ensure employees feel valued and noticed and know they have opportunities
• Monitor any issues you notice
• Encourage employees to reach out with concerns
• Step in when needed
• Set a positive example for your team to follow
Useful Rules
• Be friendly to everyone-and do not join issues you are not clear about.
• Do not burn your bridges as you climb up.
• Be patient.
• If your neighbor gets up early, get up earlier.
• Give help only when it profits you or your interest.
• If you go out of the formal rule book, do not get caught.
• If you make an example of any one, make sure everyone knows- (Punish one, teach a hundred).
• If you stumble, it will be on a stone and not a mountain.
• Do not let others see you ‘sleeping’ on duty.
• If the boss is out of the office, commit to working harder.
• It’s not about who is in charge but who takes charge.
• Control your story before others do.
• Shake hands when you are parting.
• Be a good team player.
• Avoid power tactics that tend to backfire (like coercion).
• Get to know your colleagues.
• Do not be afraid to take on unpopular projects: If you succeed, you are instantly a star- if you do not, no one thought it was possible.
• Do not think you do not have competitors. They will always be around you.
Who are the key players in any organization?
In the book, The Art of war, by SUN TZU, the following were given as examples;
The Boss: The person in charge.
The ‘Yes man’: Agrees with the boss even when he/she is wrong.
The Maverick: Non-conformist and a possible window to change.
The Traitor; Talks less and undermines people at their back.
The Vortex: Always pushing for their personal agenda.
The Empire builder: Getting more people into their debt and expanding their influence.
The Peace maker: Always concerned with harmony.
The Brain: Smart, data driven.
The Parrot: Steals ideas and parrots the right opinions of the day.
Disclaimer; Shadreck Zangairai is the Principal Human Resources Officer at Masvingo Provincial Hospital. He writes in his personal Capacity
(sh***********@gm***.com)
