One thing is very true in the corporative world: the larger the company’s size, the more office politics will matter. Not all of us are politicians by nature; therefore, this can be a significant barrier to jump if you want to grow professionally. I have had many former colleagues who used to say that they were not politicians, that politics was not their strength, and that they preferred to say things and behave like they were. Sadly, most of them saw their career cut short at some point or were eventually asked to leave.
Politics is linked to our ability to relate, communicate and eventually influence to get what we need. For me, it’s like a step beyond the rules of coexistence. Or rather, it is like a mix of rules of coexistence, respect and personal interest. Eventually, it is understood as the rules of the game in the company.
Let’s be honest; without personal interests, there would be no politics. Being politically correct is knowing how to express yourself and communicate in a way that delivers a specific message, leaving aside the emotions or opinions you may actually feel or think. It gives more importance to what can be obtained from a good relationship than a particular position. If you have a group that reports to you, it is perhaps to think a little more about the good of those who depend on you than about yourself.
When I started my career, I didn’t have access to the political circle of the company I worked for (a big corporation). I dedicated myself to my responsibilities and to fulfilling my objectives. I found out through my boss if something happened in the company. Due to a sudden change in the company’s structure, I started reporting directly to the VP of the business (at that time, I was an international seller); this happened from one day to another. As a result, I found myself attending management meetings that I had never had access to.
This situation allowed me to live and experience (it should be understood I was politically incorrect) the politics in the company. I received several hard lessons (coaching would have been beneficial then), and I was called out many times for the things I said and how I said them. I really caused a lot of trouble with my way of speaking.
Observing how my boss acted, I could perceive the subtle details that made the difference when speaking. I knew she had a particular opinion on an issue, as we’d discuss it before a management meeting. Still, when expressing herself, she tried to frame it in a way that made it sound positive (despite generally being a negative issue). She said things that would make the CEO look or feel great, if possible. She was trying to earn points, later transforming them into some benefit. Of course, promises were made that would never come true, but it was all about saying what others wanted to hear.
That experience was a tough learning curve, but eventually, I began to understand the game’s rules and look for strategies that would allow me to position myself in the company better. The Game of Thrones starts when you know how company policy works. As I mentioned at the beginning, some people like to play and begin to gain status, relationships, favors, quick promotions, etc. Others just stay away.
There is nothing wrong with being a politician; in fact, I consider it an art. Ideally, one is firm in his principles and uses politics to better position himself. But of course, we all know examples of those who use politics for selfish purposes and, through purchased favors, are shielded at times of change, have a lot of influence on corporate decisions or are promoted to undeserved positions.
Coming back to the starting point. The company’s size will determine how necessary it is to become political to move up. That does not mean there is no politics in a small company; it will also be present, but since the number of people is smaller, it will be less noticeable.
I would love to hear stories related to small business politics. If you want to share any, please leave your comments.
As we can see, throughout our career, it may be necessary to learn to be a good politician; coaching is an excellent tool that can help you communicate better and thus reduce the learning curve and avoid the bad experiences that I had to live. If you are at a stage in your career where you need to start exploring this world, do not hesitate to write to me via the web or schedule a meeting.
Alexander Martinez
