Politics is Business Quotes
Politics is such an integral part of life that it even turns up in idioms, like get down to business. It refers to anything that involves a transaction for monetary gain, whether it be selling products or services.
Political activity can be constructive and positive, or it can be destructive and negative. Which category does your company fall into?
2. It’s a science.
One view is that politics is a science, and this involves the notion that political behavior reflects certain universal laws. In other words, just as physics has Newton’s laws of motion (for example, force equals mass multiplied by acceleration, and to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction), politics has its own set of laws that describe how politicians behave in particular situations. However, it’s important to remember that scientific knowledge is always tentative, and that the answers that scientists find may change over time. Also, knowledge can be used for good or bad purposes. For example, motivated actors can use political science to manipulate voters and suppress vulnerable groups.
3. It’s a way of life.
If we paint all politics with the same brush, we miss the potential for constructive and positive politics. While scheming and underhanded tactics can be political, not all politics are negative or destructive. For example, spreading a rumor about your colleague to get ahead would be an unethical use of politics, but forming supportive relationships and gaining influence are perfectly ethical uses of politics.
Even though organizations are problem-solving instruments and sociotechnical systems, they are still political structures in that they distribute power and set the stage for competition. This means that individuals who are highly motivated to secure and use power find a familiar and hospitable environment in business. Politics is both how Congress debates laws and how you and your brother decide who does the dishes.
5. It’s a way of life.
Organizations are political structures, which means they distribute power and set the stage for competition. While cynical politicians may paint all politics with the same brush, constructive and ethical uses of power exist. For example, a superior might spread rumors to bolster his or her project in order to gain an advantage over a colleague. In doing so, this is a form of politics that strengthens relationships of support and expands influence.
Those who deny the role of politics in their professional lives are doing themselves a disservice. By failing to curate their networks, develop their brand and engage in other politically smart activities, they are putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Politics, after all, is the way of life. If you want to advance in your career, you must understand and master the art of politics.