Persuasion or Politics?
How do you see it? Persuasion or politics? Managing through organizational minefields can cause great angst, frustration and "wasted" energy. "Organizational Politics" is one of the most common topics discussed with my coaching clients.
I have a bias. I see "organizational politics" as persuasion and I encourage all of my clients to see it the same way. Why?
How you view organizational politics will make you more powerful.
Here's a story.
One of my clients has a new boss. This new boss is not her favorite person. She has worked for him before. I know both people well and I think both are talented, well meaning, individuals. They are civil but they do not work well together. People say they have a "personality conflict." Knowing them both, I know that they both have a very different set of values from which they operate.
Let's face it. Organizations are really just a series of relationships. Relationships take effort. Even your most rewarding relationships have gotten that way through effort. In your personal life, you can choose who you form relationships with (most of the time). At work, more often you can't. If you are able to strip the emotion and judgement out of your view of the relationship, you can influence. If you view the relationship as "politics" or a personality conflict you most likely can't influence.
How's my client doing? She is an exceptional influencer (in the most positive sense). She would like a more senior leadership role. She knows leadership comes with some tough choices and some even tougher relationships particularly very senior roles. She is working on trying to understand her new boss and to influence him.
