To make handling the politics easy, the very best thing you can do is get curious.

Why?

Because you have a lot of work to do.

Only when you have done that work will it become easy.

That work involves building relationships, understanding agendas, considering scenarios, dealing with Machiavellian characters, creating goodwill, doing favours, helping people in trouble, and much more besides.

None of which you have time for, because you have a proper job to do. Read More

Before you make your move, make sure you really understand how the world looks from their side of the table.

No, you don’t need to agree with them, you have to understand your opposition.

Imagine sitting in their seat for a moment. Pretend to hold their values, have their experiences,

Most importantly, consider what it is like to be driving forward their agenda (professional and personal). Read More

When all eyes turn towards you, and the heat is on, make sure you don’t take it personally.

I totally applaud those who step up and take responsibility.

Those are the people who will go far.

Provided that in so doing, they don’t take things too personally.

For anyone doing great things, it is inevitable that the disturbance will create ripples, and some of those may not be very pleasant. Read More

Avoiding playing it dirty is not only possible, it is easy - when you know how.

Most people naively believe that if you want to get on, you have to play the politics, and beat others at their own game.

It certainly looks that way doesn’t it!

The way many senior teams fight, intimidate, bully. Doing whatever it takes to win. Read More

If you don’t do politics...

...you are either naive, stupid or negligent.

Well, I suppose you might also be lacking in ambition or simply can’t be bothered.

Whatever, attempting to deny the reality that workplace politics surrounds everything you do, or avoiding engaging in politics is madness.

And, destined to failure.

Why? Read More