What if you aren't on the sidelines, but someone in the office is using political pressure to press their advantage? If you've read this far, you know I'm not going to give you techniques to undermine your co-workers and secure your success. But there are some things you can do:
- Control your emotions - Yes, again. This will be a lot harder if you are being directly attacked, but if you act emotionally you will certainly lose.
- Get the facts - Again, make sure you correctly understand the situation and position of the other side. Ask a lot of questions.
- Make business arguments - What you want or don't want and how you feel aren't the issue. Why is your position better for the business? Does it increase accountability or productivity? Will the clients be happier? Will problems be resolved quicker? Will the employees support you? Make the strongest arguments you can and be sure your statements are supported by unassailable facts - because they will be challenged.
- Don't expect rational arguments to prevail - What??? Yeah, I told you to make the strongest arguments you can, but that's not necessarily enough. We're talking about a political battle here, not a meeting of the Vulcan Senate. It's a political battle because the other side is using power and relationships to undermine your rational arguments. Expect it.
- Forget the 'dirty tricks' - Setting up the other side with misinformation, or making them look foolish in a meeting, or failing to provide some crucial feedback - I just don't agree with the tactic. It's as likely to backfire and make you look manipulative. Don't do it.
- Build your relationships - You should have been doing this all along. Politically adept people are always building relationships before they need something. You should be doing this too - in a positive and sincere way. Think of it like this: sometimes (maybe often) the business case isn't clear. Both sides have good, plausible arguments, and there are also concerns about each solution. How do you make the decision? If you're the boss you go with the person who has delivered in the past and who you know and trust. Begin building that trust before you need it. The relationships you build today will help you fight the political battles of tomorrow.
Protracted political battles are really a failure of management to recognize and police the problem. I believe the workplace should be collaborative internally and competitive externally. Look carefully at the culture of your organization. Is politics tolerated - or even encouraged? If so - and you are uncomfortable - then you are working in the wrong job.
