Once upon a time a Presidential Election was based on respectful differences of ideas, statesmanship and visionary good for our country and the world. The carnal viciousness of the current presidential debate is unprecedented in our lifetime. Consider the impact of the national dialog in this election year on the corporate/organizational world. By unconscious osmosis, the way we lead, as executives, changes. Ask yourself a few simple questions -- just hear your own answers truthfully rather than the way you want to hear, think you "should" hear or any of the myriad of methods we use to hide our truth from ourselves.
If you being completely truthful with you, answered "yes" to any of these questions, it is highly probable negative competitive politics are keeping your directs both individually and as a team from achieving plan much less their best. As we continue our due diligence, a few more questions for you to ponder.
The ideas that surface as you consider these facets of leading will bring you to fruitful insights if you let them. You extraverts may need people to talk through your ideas with those you trust. Remember, you can never not lead (everything you do or say sends a leadership message) and assume everyone in your organization tells everything to one person they trust -- the roots of the "grapevine." Others of you may find writing your thoughts more helpful. One assurance I make without reservation is that win/lose negative politics in your team has to do with how you are leading to some extent. Of course there are other factors, yet the knowledge and skill to foster an environment of thriving in ambiguity, loving change as opportunity is the path to leadership mastery.
I have posed many questions here to spark new thought and ideas. I, too, go through the same process. Sometimes I come face-to-face with the realization that I have seen the enemy and it is me. Let me suggest one answer amid all the questions. Pondering leads to perspective; perspective leads to purpose; purpose leads to statesmanship, vision, power used positively. The single most important factor in determining the course to a new solution is asking the right question. Ask "how" and you presume a better direction. Ask "if" and you have already chosen failure.
Be Well, My Friends.
Linda C. Thompson