Does your organization embrace politics? If the answer is yes, then it places them on a crowded field. I’ve spent many years evaluating why organizations fall into the trap of "going political." I would also note that there is a world of difference between politics and strategy. Strategy implies honest intent and open negotiations. Best in class organizations know this art. Here is a short (not all-inclusive) list of some of the reasons for going political:
- The organization is full of managers. Managers have a difficult time seeing anything but those things directly in front of themselves. This lack of vision produces expedient thinking. When left with expedient decisions, we usually go political.
- The organization fails to understand the power of culture (beliefs, norms., behaviors).
- The organization fears the unknown. Going political gives individuals the feeling of "certainty." Ironically, the unknown is a certainty.
- The organization is content with average. To be great you must embrace risk and the unknown.
- The organization is old by time and mental standards. We have no control of the former, but we do over the latter.