Politics

Goals

1. Describe politics.
2. Excel at influencing group decision-making; that is, excel at politics.

What?

Summary

Politics is the process of group decision-making for establishing things like rules, the allocation of resources, expectations of members, and more. It inherently involves power, negotiation, and conflict.

In Detail

Politics is the process by which a group collectively makes decisions about:

• What the rules are
  
• How resources are allocated
  
• Who contributes what to the group
  
• What shared values are upheld
  
• What norms of behavior are expected
  
• When group events will occur
  
• How conflicts are resolved
  
• What stories or shared history define the group

Politics is inseparable from power dynamics—it’s about who gets to influence or control these outcomes, how they do so, and how others respond.

Political processes operate through:

• Power: the ability to influence or control the actions, beliefs, or decisions of others
  
• Negotiation: a give-and-take process aimed at reaching agreement
  
• Conflict: struggle or disagreement over interests, values, or resources

Politics occurs in all types of groups—families, companies, teams, nonprofits, universities, governments—any time collective decisions must be made.

Rationale

Excelling at politics helps you shape your group’s:

1. Shared values
   
2. Outcomes and results
   
3. Productivity and efficiency
   
4. Rules and norms
   
5. Balance of contributions and rewards
   
6. Decision-making processes

Concern: Politics can consume time and energy.
Response: Focus on high-payoff actions. Learn to play the political game with skill, clarity, and integrity.

Excelling at Politics (How To)

Principle: Understand where the power lies—who has it, how much you have in relation to others, and how influence flows. Then, act accordingly.

Framework

1. Clarify what you most want for the group—what values or outcomes you hope to influence.
   
2. Identify how to apply your influence—through alliances, agenda-setting, storytelling, negotiation, and timing.
   
3. Take skillful action while observing group dynamics and adjusting in real time.
   
4. Reflect on outcomes and adapt to improve.

Tips

• Use your influence ethically to serve both your aims and the group’s long-term health.
• Sharpen your critical thinking to identify what’s true and what actions are most effective.
• Develop interpersonal strengths:
  • Problem-solving
    
  • Negotiation
    
  • Conflict management
    
  • Leadership
    
  • Active listening
    
  • Communication
    
  • Persuasion

Misconceptions About Politics

• Politics is not inherently corrupt or manipulative.
• Avoiding politics doesn’t make you neutral—it often just means others decide for you.
• You’re always participating in politics, whether you acknowledge it or not.

Related Topics

Government

Government is the formal result of politics applied to a population—such as a town, state, or country—where decisions must be made, implemented, and enforced at scale.

Culture

Culture is the set of shared elements—values, goals, rules, methods, history, symbols, and stories—that characterize a group.

Culture and politics influence one another in a continuous feedback loop. A group’s culture shapes its politics, and political outcomes shape its culture.