Article

Antonio Marsocci

Politics is not just elections. Senior executives and senior management as at the workplace is full of politics. People choose what to say, how and when to say and to whom. Already a specific result in mind. Alliances forged. Supporters have. It’s not just the management priorities of the business, which models a vote of confidence, and what the project has stopped put. But positive thinking can “policy” seems like a swear word, but the skills we are talking about can be used for good and bad. It’s all how you play.

What is the office policy? Politics is the exercise of power for a particular purpose. If the target is in the interest of the individual and the expense of others, we tend to see it as a sly, manipulating, and negative. Moreover, since we often see when the power goes hand in hand position, we tend to see more older people in the company of those who play politics.

However, there are many other types of power than someone who lives in rank or position: do not know (what you know), network (who knows), experience (service), physical (size, appearance) and personal ( charisma) of power. It’s safe to say that we all have the ability to one or more of these categories. So if we all have the power, it follows that we can all play office politics. But do we? Ask yourself: if I am never late or withhold bad news for the boss? I never pass the information to influence opinion? Have I ever used my connections to find anything? Chances are, we are all in politics at some point or another.

However, the skills you are able to use in these situations themselves are not bad. In fact, if you break down the skills, it is already beginning to sound neutral. Influence … negotiation techniques … communicate with the public in mind …. These are all important management skills necessary for a director, and often the subject of personal development and coaching.

The question is: on these occasions, what was the purpose and effect of our politics? We must be aware of the reasons for our actions and how these actions can affect others. We can build campaigns for power, networks, expertise, reputation, etc. We can understand our company policy by examining the key players and their agendas and how to get points – or not – with the corporate agenda. But if we use our power, if it is purely his own purposes and then the result is seen as playing politics. If it is also the company and its inhabitants the benefits so that our efforts to more constructive.

Finally, whether you are considered “honest” politician in the office or not it comes to integrity. So think positive and honest play the game.