Playing Politics

I read this quote in a book the other day.  The book is The Five Dysfunction of a Team and it is worth a read at least once (and I can tell you I’m enjoying it for the third time).

Here it is…

“Politics is when people chose their words and actions based on how they want others to react rather than based on what they really think.”

I as a person want to operate in reality.  I believe this is something most of us really don’t do by the way.  I know I’ve been guilty of it for years.  The truth is, left to our own choices, we much prefer a pleasant psychosis over harsh reality.  But, I don’t want to do that anymore.  I therefore want to work in an organization and lead a team that lives in reality as well.

That being said, according to the quote above, I believe politics is evidence that you are not living in total reality.  Here are my personal thoughts on this quote.

• In what ways as a leader do I create an environment where it’s just easier to tell me what I want to hear and not what people really think?
  • Do I punish people for not agreeing?
  • Do I raise my voice in meetings during discussions?
  • Do I tend to overreact when people have a small problem they want to discuss?
  • What hurts my feelings?  Those are probably the areas I need to be on my toes.
  • Do I really lead with an open hand when it comes to my ideas, programs, and the people I have been entrusted with for now?
• Who are the leaders in my life I feel I need to “be careful” around?
  • Are you sure you aren’t “being careful” because of your own confidence issues?
  • Isn’t there a difference between being strategic about “how” and “when” you tell them to what we are talking about above?
  • If it isn’t my confidence  issue, do you think you can talk to them about it?
• Does my family feel this way?
  • Ouch.
• In what ways can I ensure people will tell me the total truth?
  • Be safe.
  • Thank them for being honest.
  • Acknowledge that must have been hard to do.
  • Apologize for the times I wasn’t a safe person.
  • Tell your teams and families how you want to be.
  • Ask them if there have been times you haven’t been so safe.

Those are just a few thoughts.  How about you?  What do you think?