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Talent Management Perspectives

Published December 2008

Is Leadership Just Another Way of Playing Political Games?

  Barbara Poole

When most people hear the phrase "workplace politics," they react very negatively. They see politics in the workplace as a manipulative method of someone getting what they want by stepping on their co-workers' backs. But not every instance of political game playing is a selfish maneuver to win.

In his book, Office Politics: Do You Play or Pass, Michael Alesko defines office politics as "the use and misuse of power in the workplace." He implies that office politics are not always negative. And while workplace politics aren't necessarily avoidable, talent managers can learn to understand their purpose and how those in leadership use political game playing to run organizations.

Office Politics vs. Game Playing
Just as in any game, in order to win one must know the rules. It also is beneficial to play on the right team and control the scoreboard. However, some might claim workplace politics and game playing differ in many ways.

In popular sports such as baseball, football and hockey, when you play a single game there is certain level of control. There are established rules imposed by expert officials. Time limits are followed and rest breaks are allotted. Most teams have uniforms and are of equal size, though not necessarily of equal talent.

But what these experts might forget is that while office politics feels like a never-ending random event that doesn't appear to follow game-like rules, there are similarities, too. Consider chess.

Chess can be low-key and quiet, a friendly game between friends. Or it can be explosive and highly competitive, set amid a crowd of observers, where the ultimate winner reaps world-wide accolades. Consider the skill behind the game of chess. It requires well-planned strategy and a great deal of mental acuity and patience, not to mention years of practice to reach an elite status. These are the same skills required by a great leader, one who has the ability to guide an organization and one who understands the world of office politics.

On the other hand, while playing a game such as chess can only result in a single winner, there often can be a more neutral outcome in the world of office politics. With the proper skills of negotiation and influence, savvy leaders may be able to create a win-win situation.

The Truth About Politics in the Workplace
Office politics always will be part of an organization because people are people. The dynamic relationships of individuals who run a business play an important part in how the business operates: how the mission, vision, values and organizational culture are forged.

And while the average Jane or Joe might feel like they are being run over by co-workers who manipulate the system, bully, gossip, backstab and brown nose to get what they want, there is more to office politics than those negative daily encounters.

Good leaders understand office politics are part of the workplace landscape, and to ignore them is to invite disaster. That does not automatically mean every good leader has found his or her way to the top of the heap by climbing over the bodies of crushed co-workers. It may mean that leader understands office politics well enough to use them productively and effectively without slinging mud, lying or stooping to street level.

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