By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN
I recently had a conversation with a nurse leader who told me proudly that “she did not participate in organizational politics.” I was reminded of something a wise mentor told me at the beginning of my career which was that “the game you are watching in an organization is not always the game being played.” Her point to me at the time is that effective leaders always understand and use the politics in their organizations —- to not do so may undermine your initiatives. There is a difference between being seen as “political” and understanding and using organizational politics.
Organizations as Political Systems
Most nurse leaders will acknowledge that understanding and navigating the organizational politics in their work settings is often very challenging. Few leaders have not experienced a situation where it seemed that there was organizational buy-in for a project or organizational support for a leader and then things suddenly and unexpectedly shifted. Organizational politics are inevitable and leaders need to view their workplaces as political systems where employees at all levels bring their own interests, desires, wants and needs. It is within the context of this diversity of interests that politics form. Organizational politics can become negative when individuals or groups of individuals take action without regard to the well-being of others.
Navigating the Politics
Understanding the politics in an organization is key to being an effective leader. Sometimes, leaders make a decision to distance themselves from the politics only to find that they have difficulty achieving some of their goals. Beware of trying to fly solo in an organization. It generally will not be a successful strategy. Some key steps for navigating the politics include the following:
- Observe and Listen
The most important tools for negotiating workplace politics are your own skills of observation. Watch how decisions are made – look at group alliances – identify points of conflict in an organization – observe for competitiveness and jealousy – determine who are the key decision makers and has influence. Through observation, you will be able to better identify what the points of resistance might be to what you are planning. You need to be able to better use your expertise to create buy-in.
- Create Strong Relationships
Building a network of strong relationships in your organization is important to navigate the politics. In highly politically charged environments, you need trusted colleagues that you can go through to discuss difficult situations and who will give you honest feedback. It is critical in organizations that leaders be seen as individuals who can keep confidential information to themselves otherwise you will not be trusted.
- Be Tactful in How You Promote Yourself and Your Unit
Workplaces are inherently competitive. It is important to do a good job and have a measurable way that others can see this. Self-promotion can be a slippery slope and result in others resenting you and the work you are trying to accomplish. Make sure that others have an opportunity to shine.
- Help Your Colleagues
By helping others when they need it, you can leverage good will. You will always need allies. Relationships are built on reciprocity and if you have strong allegiances, people will return a favor if you need it to progress in your work.
Negative organizational politics can result in employee dissatisfaction and disengagement. As a nurse leader, you will never be able to totally eliminate the organizational politics in your workplace. What you can do is become savvy in how you both anticipate it and manage it when it does occur.
Read to Lead
The Best Way to Play Office Politics Harvard Business Review Video
Sherman, R.O. (2012). Navigating organizational politics, American Nurse Today.7(5), 41-42.
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