Above Politics?
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean that politics will not take an interest in you.”
— Pericles
Athenian General, Orator and Statesman
495 BC – 429 BC
Said a client recently, “Hey, I’m not interested in politics. I just want to do my job and get great results!” Our response: “You may be pure and above or apart from all that, but people are naturally political. So you’d better learn.”
Think about it. People in a room together aren’t sure what to do. They kick around a few ideas and the best of the speakers has a better shot at getting understood, accepted and elected. (We hope his was a good idea…) The next time there’s a pause, people look to that same guy for direction. Politics.
Then a few people start to hang with That Guy — hoping to play on the same team. And they collectively move for a particular point of view. Other folks maybe don’t care — they just want to do a good job. Then a few more people join the team and it occurs to them that they should together, take care of the decision making and the job handing out. Politics.
Now. If you want things different, you’d best talk to “the guy.” He may listen and like your idea — but now you owe him. And so goes the game. The never ending exchange of favors and support.
It gets uglier and more complex in larger groups — as you are aware. It’s that National and International level ugliness of Real-Politic that turns one off — leading to resolutions to keep one’s distance. But at its heart, this is how it works — trading something today, for something in return later. If you don’t participate, you’re unlikely to benefit. If you do participate, you may get to influence the outcome.
We suggest that even at its murkiest, politics yields to ethics: What’s best for all concerned? Of course, it’s more complex than just people — as we have become increasingly aware — our predilection for plastic is leaving the world awash in discards, our disinterest has allowed large areas of forest to be forever lost, our inattention has allowed the energy production process to endanger not just people near generation facilities but all over the world… This politics thing has more points of contact than work alone.
So it’s up to you — disinterest and disconnection — or involvement and a chance to make a mark? You may be above politics, but it’s not above an interest in you!
Applications
1. Individually
Are you totally satisfied with every touch point in your life? Home, Church, School, Town, City, County, State, Nation? Environment? Living Things? The National Parks? The Company, the Industry, the International Board? What about the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund? There’s a point in your life where politics is chafing. Take a look and consider what kind of involvement might be good for you, and everyone.
2. At Home
If you’re a known quantity in the school, if the kid’s teachers know you on sight, there’s a better chance that the little things can be handled while they are little. If you’re known in the town, there’s a better chance of getting ten minutes on the Mayor’s calendar. Starting from scratch with an upset is not a formula for success. Get in there and make yourself known at the outset. When the time comes to decide something, you’ll be one of those with something to contribute — to your benefit — and to others.
3. At Work
They’re political — all of them. And if you keep to yourself — waiting to be asked — you won’t be. But if you’re curious and involved, and have a suggestion from time to time with the willingness to work on a solution — you become both known and trusted. Wait a minute, that’s also a formula for promotion… So drop the isolationist deal and begin forming your group of colleagues so that as the opportunities arise, you guys can begin to make yourselves felt.
Politics. It’s ugly, but if you’re working at it, you can make it better! Take an interest early, before it takes an interest in you!
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