Untangling the Politics in Business

Some time back we were having a conversation about handling group chats. The question we were trying to answer was, is it safe to go all out in a group conversation? How certain will one be of the loyalty of the group members? One person just gave a stunning answer, he then said, “When I talk in any group, I treat it as a political entity where the terrain can change at any given time”

What then is politics?

It is the authoritative allocation of values according to David Easton. Harold Lasswell also defines it?as who gets what, when and how. With this definition, let’s demystify the forbidden term in our vocabulary,?POLITICS.

I often come across people who ask me, you studied Political Science, why are you working in the Human Resources department? If there is a question I can answer with a smile, it is this one, the?ubiquity of politics.

Let me now take you on a journey applying the concepts hidden in the definitions given. A value has to do with the importance or the worth of something in each setting. So, by stating that politics is the authoritative allocation of values, it becomes expected that the available resources be shared based on the acceptable practice set by society. I guess still, it may not yet be clear, who gets what, when and how; it’s now explaining what an individual needs to fulfil to receive the values set aside in the system for distribution. Who gets what relates to how the person looking forward to a favor from the person with authority behaves. When and how; it describes what one has to do something to tickle the fancies of those with power so that would emerge at the top.

Politics is evident in all facets of society from family, church, community, business circles and the famous party politics. Everyone needs to understand who has authority in their sphere of growth.

Now it takes one with enough research to win over the one with the Authority and Influence for any business deal to sail through. Sometimes all these may rest in one person, but there is a need to identify the one who can influence the turnaround of any business decision. Some people have the authority to sign big deals, but all the decision-making is happening in the background. Some are just managers whose job is to be signatories, puppet leaders when the secretary is the one with influence. Even in homes, we know the father has authority, but influence and control rests mostly with the mother, no wonder most requests that come through the woman hardly get a NO.

Remember the story of Samson and Delilah?

Most people fail in business politics because they are ignorant of who has power. Life is war! War is won based on who you ally yourself with. Don’t just team up for a fight when none of you holds any facets of power, it’s a lost battle before it commences. To avoid frustrations and demotivation in the company, everyone must diligently know where power lies, that way, success is guaranteed.

Happy Politicking!