The presidential race in 2008 was a very exciting time that drew the attention of many in the United States and abroad. The election process is meant to invoke a certain level of ownership and power to the masses. Vote and have your voice heard; don’t vote, and you can’t complain about not having the opportunity to change things.In this case, it was our time to elect someone new to lead the country.We were hiring our new CEO, if you will. However, when you have to pick sides, that can be a bit polarizing also.Politics has always been that way. There are two sides to almost every issue discussed and debated in politics (we do have to acknowledge those rare occasions of agreement). Those disparate views are easy to see at the national level, but are just as common at the state or local level. When those views do not align, and there is little room left for compromise, we end up with prolonged debate (and little action) on subjects like healthcare reform, solving the social security riddle, immigration reform, how to effectively doll out $1 trillion, etc.

Politics Are Second to a Cohesive Workforce

Now take that view and apply it to your organization.  Every company has a mission, or at the very least, a goal that they are trying to accomplish.  Which organization do you think achieves their goal more easily, the one where all the employees are aligned and understand the goal, or the one that is dysfunctional and has people looking out for their own interest?  My bet is on the one where everyone is singing from the same sheet of music.  By no means am I implying that there is diminished creativity or no dissenting thought in those organizations.  It could be quite the opposite.  I would believe that the organization that has its people marching in the same direction probably also is interested in hearing new thoughts and ideas, and possibly even encourages it.  Questioning a process or procedure, or even questioning the goal and its validity can be fine, if you do it the proper way.  Goals are established based on the information that we have at a specific time.  If that information changes, then sometimes goals need to be recalibrated.
There is a reason why there is something called corporate politics, and it isn’t because you get to run for Mayor.  It’s because of the lobbying, the deal making, the opposition of ideas, the idea that if someone isn’t with you, they are against you, and more.  Politics adds another layer to getting things accomplished, and really, don’t we have enough layers already?  What is not conducive to achieving organizational goals is a combative approach, or possibly even worse, the passive-aggressive approach.  The undermining of authority can be so detrimental, and the whole time everyone is just smiling back and forth.  The idea that greed is good has seemingly passed on.  No longer do people think that the massive profit is the end all be all.  Sort of like steroids in baseball, if you produce huge results, everyone is just waiting to hear what you did illegally to get there.

Sustainability, not just profitability, is the new mantra.   Having a cohesive workforce that effectively works together to solve problems and advance the organization will help achieve both of those results.  It is a big sandbox, let’s all play nice.