#12: The Politics of Strategy Execution

'Politics' refers to situations where:

• There are multiple, conflicting needs;
  
• Decision making is slow and sub-optimal because essential information is unavailable or withheld;
• Support is provided or declined for reasons other than the merits of the case;
  
• Personal gain takes priority over the greater good;
• Interactions are dysfunctional and inter-personal communications frequently break down

We offer the root cause as immature processes operated by unskilled people.

To execute strategy relating to substantial issues (many, many people are impacted by the choices made), politics is inevitable (see definition of 'politics' above). Its not a perfect world, get used to it. Avoiding politics will result in the wrong people being in charge of finding solutions to substantial issues. Embracing politics as a way of life will increase the ranks of the 'wrong' people.

The only way out is to demonstrate leadership, be a role model and act with wisdom.