Are you known for being “on the front bench” driving and making things that matter happen or are you sometimes seen more in the opposition ranks criticizing, opposing and “being an obstacle”? How do you think you are seen most of the time by most people around you?
It can be so easy to slip into opposition mode, can’t it? You know, when things aren’t going the way you want, pressure or stress building up, you could be frustrated and you may be going through “a bad patch”? Perhaps in these times we may be forgiven for seeing the “glass half empty” and adopting a somewhat PLOM (“poor little old me”) attitude. Happens to the best of us, right?
I am often reminded of this metaphor when I see or read snippets of State or Federal political activity where it often appears as if the (any) Opposition doesn’t have to do anything else than to put an opposing spin on ideas or policies or initiatives the (any) Government table. It irks me that they can often simply criticize, without providing any better alternative or solution, know what I mean?
Politics in Business
I have found that often to be the case in business as well. It can be seen when there is heightened political activity within an organisation, where for example two departments or divisions are at odds about who “owns” a certain responsibility or a certain market or customer in the light of insufficiently refined objectives. This can be particularly intense when the outcome has a bearing on the bonus’ or profit shares of the individuals leading those departments. It is quite extraordinary how much energy can be consumed by these “turf wars”.
I always used to think how much better off everyone could be if that effort were directed to the company’s competition in the marketplace instead. Politics are usually around individuals focussed on “me, me, me”, often brazenly trying to project themselves in the best possible light and trying to “outplay” or “outposition” those they see in opposition to their agenda’s; often to their own personal benefit, and sometimes even to the overall detriment of the company, right?
It happens all the time, yet most clients I work with usually say that they “hate” these sorts of office politics. I guess it depends somewhat on the objective or purpose, because there is a place for politics in organisations.
I like to differentiate these “politics” from the “drip feeding” or “sowing the seed” type politics, where we develop appropriate spin or strategies to influence or persuade others (within and outside the organisation) to the achievement of better outcomes, but they should “ecologically good” outcomes (that is good for us, good for them and for the betterment of the greater good).
Where do you sit?
So in the scheme of what we are talking about here, where do you sit on the spectrum between “front bench and opposition” most of the time? What are you known for?
Here’s a few “test questions” that may help raise an awareness of what I’m talking about:
- Do you find yourself more prone to criticizing or “finding the catch” in an idea rather than adding perspectives that might improve it?
- When “in opposition” do you provide an alternative or a solution or are you “just against”?
- Are you more prone to creating ideas or challenging other’s ideas?
- How well do you handle your ideas being challenged? Do you get defensive or welcome the additional options or insights?
- If you are standing in a group that is “being negative” do you stay with it in its tone, try and change the tenor or walk away?
- If I said to you: “if you can’t find something good to say about somebody, rather don’t say anything at all”, where would you sit with that in terms of your own everyday outlook?
- Do people feel uplifted more often than not when they have spent time with you?
- Do you think people want to seek you out because you always have a complimentary word to say and prone to “have a laugh”?
- Is your face showing how you feel? What’s it saying? How might it be seen by those around you?
Our (business) world is full of people “in opposition” roles: often through conditioning and of course through circumstances. Most people have developed a reasonable balance between where they are most of the time. Depending on what the above questions invoked in you, you might want to make some adjustments.
The key here is that you can. Your attitude is your choice. I hope that with renewed awareness, you will choose wisely, for you, for those around you and for the greater good.
