Power isn’t always where it should be. This tiny creature’s power to frighten arachnophobes is totally out of proportion to its size. How does the web of power work in your organisation? How powerful are HR within that web?
‘You can’t be political in HR’ is a belief I’ve often heard. Yet we humans are political animals – we can’t help it. We are all using a political strategy – we just may not be conscious of it.
For example, when someone says ‘I don’t get into the politics’ what they’re really saying is that their political strategy is one of avoidance. By being passive, by not engaging with certain discussions, or by ignoring positioning by others, they are actually risking their own power to influence.
It feels like risk-avoidance when you stay out of politics, but in fact it’s the opposite. You may be allowing others to determine how you are regarded and whether you get the credit or the blame. You’re throwing your power away.
Political intelligence is critical for HR people, and we have fascinating discussions on our workshops about how this can be deployed with integrity.
You can hold onto your power while also staying true to your values, and win even more respect for HR.
What kind of political challenges do you face?
