The Best Way to Play Office Politics

Summary

In this HBR IdeaCast, Linda Hill and Kent Lineback, authors of 'Being the Boss', discuss the critical role of managing networks for effective leadership. They highlight the common mistake of avoiding organizational politics and emphasize the importance of understanding power dynamics within a company. The conversation delves into the three essential networks a leader must cultivate: operational, strategic, and developmental, and offers insights on how to build and maintain these relationships. The authors also stress the significance of self-awareness in leadership, including recognizing one's impact on others and adjusting behaviors to foster trust and collaboration.

Takeaways

• 😀 New managers often make the mistake of avoiding organizational politics, which can hinder their effectiveness and growth.
• 🤔 The belief that power is corrupting and should be avoided can lead managers to neglect the inherent political nature of organizations.
• 🔄 Organizations are political entities due to the diversity of perspectives, interdependence, and the need to allocate scarce resources, which can create conflict.
• 💡 Understanding and using political dynamics constructively is crucial for managers to avoid powerlessness and achieve their goals ethically and productively.
• 📈 Powerlessness can corrupt as much as power, as it prevents standing up for what is right within an organization.
• 🌐 Building three types of networks is essential for a manager: operational, strategic, and developmental, each serving different purposes.
• 🔗 The operational network helps with daily tasks, the strategic network provides environmental scanning and opportunity identification, and the developmental network aids personal growth.
• 🤝 Deciding who to include in these networks requires clarity on goals and strategic thinking to ensure alignment with the company's direction.
• 🔍 Managers should be aware of how they are perceived by others and seek feedback to understand their impact on relationships and trust.
• 🚫 Isolation can lead to a loss of competence, as expertise is gained through interaction with others within the organization.
• 👥 Personal chemistry should not be the sole basis for building relationships; managers must connect with those necessary for their work, regardless of personal preferences.
• 🌐 In a global context, managers must learn to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds to effectively implement global strategies.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the HBR IdeaCast podcast featuring Linda Hill and Kent Lineback?

The main topic is about managing networks and navigating organizational politics, as discussed in their book 'Being the Boss: The Three Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader'.

Why did Kent Lineback initially avoid engaging in organizational politics?

Kent Lineback initially avoided organizational politics because he thought it was corrupting and a waste of time, and he didn't want to be involved in what he perceived as negative aspects of power.

What is one of the biggest mistakes new managers make according to Linda Hill and Kent Lineback?

One of the biggest mistakes new managers make is ignoring or refusing to engage in organizational politics, which can lead to powerlessness and hinder their ability to effectively lead.

Why are organizations inherently political entities according to the authors?

Organizations are inherently political due to the three sources of conflict built into organizational life: diversity of perspectives, interdependence, and the need to make tough choices about scarce resources.

What are the three types of networks that a manager should focus on building?

The three types of networks are the operational network for daily job completion, the strategic network for scanning the environment and preparing for future opportunities and challenges, and the developmental network for personal growth and development.

How can a manager determine who should be in their developmental network?

A manager can determine who should be in their developmental network by understanding their own developmental needs and the kind of work experience they need to access, and then cultivating relationships with those who can provide that experience.

What is the importance of having a relationship with people even if there is no personal chemistry?

Having a relationship with people even without personal chemistry is important because work relationships are necessary for getting work done, and personal chemistry should not be the sole determinant of professional relationships.

What can be a sign that people do not trust or like dealing with a manager?

A sign that people may not trust or like dealing with a manager is if they are excluded from pre-meetings where decisions are made, indicating they are not considered powerful or easy to work with.

How can a manager ensure they are not perceived as a 'competent jerk'?

A manager can ensure they are not perceived as a 'competent jerk' by being self-aware, understanding how they make others feel, and ensuring they build long-term, reciprocal relationships with their colleagues.

What should a manager do if they find themselves feeling isolated or left out of decisions?

If a manager feels isolated or left out of decisions, they should reflect on their own actions, seek feedback, and work on building relationships and trust with their colleagues to ensure they are included and their group is successful.

What is the advice given for dealing with people who abuse their influence in an organization?

The advice given for dealing with people who abuse their influence is to have one's own source of influence and power, and to build long-term relationships and partnerships that are reciprocal and considerate of others' interests.