Politics is a dirty game, like they say. But it’s not only found in national or international governance, it is everywhere you can think of. There is politics in our families, circles of friends, and organisations, but for the purpose of this post, we’ll only take a look at the types you find at a work environment.
DEGREE POLITICS
In this kind of politics, people form cliques according to the kind of university they attended or what they graduated with. In this kind, people who graduated from private universities always move and do things together while those who studied in the elite and renowned universities also form cliques. Even those who graduated from government owned institutions go as far as forming cliques according to the ranking of their institution. And when these cliques are formed, individuals tend to do things to favour members of their cliques which is why you sometimes find that qualified staff outside cliques are robbed of promotion into key positions.
THE POLITICS OF FIGURES
You’d be lying to yourself if you believe that some of the staff in your workplace do not engage in company rackets and deals.
Financial numbers are being changed on a daily basis and the amount depends on the size as well as the financial strength of the organization. For instance, the kind of illegal deals going on in a medium scale company would be different from what happens in a bigger company.
In the politics of numbers, people form cliques according to how they connive to change company financial numbers.
Sometimes, uninvolved employees (especially new comers) tend to make the mistake of trying to blow the whistle on people involved, not knowing that in most cases, even the head of the organisation or department is involved.
INFORMATION POLITICS
Most times, when new staff is employed in an organization or transferred to a branch, they are often approached by top staff to help them with information, which is why it’s always advisable to mind the way you talk about your bosses in the presence of new staff because they may be planted for information.
In this kind of politics, who you report to will determine what will be accrued to you. Most bosses always use this method to monitor the activities of their staff, but oftentimes, other cliques find a way to lure them into their fold.
Workplace politics can be stopped, but it usually takes a complete revolution or dissolution of management to end it. It is a dangerous thing for business, and has led most to crumble. If you work in a company where there’s a lot of politics, stay humble or simply walk away.