How Best To Stop Internal Politics

Dear Life Amplifiers,

Today I′d like to speak with you about internal company politics and their negative impact on culture, morale, and performance. I am looking very much forward to receiving your feedback and comments below.

I posted the above quote from Steve Jobs on Linkedin about a week ago. By now, it has been viewed more than 7 million times, liked by about 125,000 people, and commented on by approximately 1,700 people. That certainly proves that it′s a hot and very relevant topic. Why?

The Damaging Impact of Internal Politics

Internal politics can be defined as using power and influence to achieve personal or group goals within an organization. It often involves manipulation, favoritism, and backstabbing, which can lead to a toxic work environment, low morale, and reduced productivity. Internal politics can also hinder an organization's ability to innovate and compete in a fast-paced market. Furthermore, talented employees are likely to leave an organization with a political culture, leading to a loss of knowledge and experience.

Organizations that are able to keep internal politics out tend to be more successful. They have higher levels of employee engagement, better communication, and a more collaborative culture. They can also move faster and make more informed decisions, which is critical in today's fast-paced business environment.

Strategies and Actions to Avoid & Stop Internal Politics

If you're looking to avoid or stop internal politics within your organization, here are ten strategies and actions to consider:

Set clear expectations: Clearly define what behavior is acceptable and what is not. Make it known that political behaviors will not be tolerated.

Lead by example: Leaders must model the behavior they want to see in their employees. They should refrain from engaging in political behaviors themselves.

Encourage open communication: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Address conflicts promptly: When conflicts arise, make sure to deal with them immediately before they escalate.

Create a shared vision: Develop a common purpose and shared values for the organization and ensure employees understand and support them.

Recognize and reward positive behavior: Reinforce positive behavior by recognizing and rewarding it.

Provide training: Offer training on communication, conflict resolution, and team building.

Hire for cultural fit: During the hiring process, evaluate candidates based on their fit with the organization's culture.

Foster trust: Build trust among employees by being transparent and honest.

Hold everyone accountable: Make it clear that everyone is responsible for maintaining a politics-free environment.

Summary

On a final note, it's important to remember that leaders and employees are responsible for working in a politics-free environment. They also must be willing to set aside personal interests and work collaboratively toward the organization's goals. By following the above-listed strategies and actions, you can help to create a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation within your organization. By doing so, you can help to create a more positive work environment and achieve greater success in the long run.

What do you think? Thanks for leaving a comment, etc. below.

Kind regards,

Andreas von der Heydt

#leader #leadership #politics #communication #team #conflict #psychologicalsafety