How can politically-driven individuals impact your organization?
CIO Strategic Advisor in Services (non-Government), 2 - 10 employees
I had an experience at an organization where there was a certain subset of politically-driven individuals. There were pockets of these folks across the organization, and when you would move one part of the organization in a way that they felt was detrimental, the others would retaliate. And there was little you could do about it, unless you tried to root out the entire organization, which was brutal.Advisor | Investor | Former CIO in Services (non-Government), Self-employed
Those that have been in the organization for an extended period of time have an entitled view because they have been there from the outset, in many cases. They don’t feel obligated to justify any of their decisions. And as a result of their political clout, others in the organization fear crossing swords with this individual, so they’ll choose the path of least resistance.That’s something I’ve had to root out early on when I began in a past role. I had an infrastructure architect that just knew how to hang out with the CEO and the rest of the executives. And as a result, he had a lot of protection. When I came in, I put together a performance improvement plan (PIP), measured him and moved him out, while documenting everything. He was toxic. But when you eliminate those individuals from your organization, everyone else breathes a sigh of relief, knowing that they no longer have to pander to that individual. So it earns you a lot of respect from the rest of the organization for doing what should have been done a long time ago by your predecessor. And the best part is that you also save good people that way, because they are the ones that tend to leave first. It's a domino effect.
Director of IT in Services (non-Government), 1,001 - 5,000 employees
When politics are involved there is rarely a positive outcome. However, we all know and understand politics are a part of nearly every organization. If you can build positive relationships and attempt to build positive culture you can overcome those politics nearly every time. TLDR; dont let politically driven individuals impact your organization negatively. Force change. CIO in Consumer Goods, 11 - 50 employees
In all ways politically-driven individual cause damage to organizations.And depending on wich country are you based in, could be worst.
As @Tim Crawford mentioned, ".. .tried to root out the entire organization, which was brutal...", but sometimes necessary.
Vice President Information Technology in Finance (non-banking), 201 - 500 employees
Of course, they do not work in silos. They create a group or subset of such people in the organization and assure everybody in the group to protect their personal benefits in case things become unfavourable to the members. However, the fact is that the basis of such group is the "Fear" of elimination or "Consequences ".If we can identify such individuals or group in the early stage then it can save the organization from future adversaries. They simply work to protect their personal interests and the organization really doesn't matter for them. All of their decisions would be politically motivated keeping their interest as the primary focus.
As a consequence, the organization may loose out on good and honest employees, future growth prospects and sometimes even the inflated costs of tenders etc.
Head of IT Operations in Healthcare and Biotech, 201 - 500 employees
I can't think of single example of where politics in an organisation brings value for the customer or product. The very nature of politically-driven people tend to more focused on their own personal ambition and not aligned with organisational values and goals.HEAD IT in Consumer Goods, 501 - 1,000 employees
In all sizes and all global regions, if we look around organisations, it is easy to see the manifestations of power almost everywhere. It's started from TOP in every organization and assimilated into the lower stream. In fact, a wide variety of power-based methods are used to influence others. A few sets of individuals who are not attached to or driven by organizations' political force in long term are just side lines in the organizations and there is no reward or appreciation from anybody. So in most organisations innovation is nearly zero as every move needs to be supported by top management but as it's already a politically motivated team, so if it's not come from within the politically empowered group it's never executed and appreciated. On the other hand, there are always a few individuals who work regularly passionately and run the day-to-day operations, you can say pillars of the organizations are not politically influenced at all but they never get rewarded.Chief Technology Officer in Finance (non-banking), 11 - 50 employees
Had some experience of this, intolerance has many guises. Best to get rid of them, as well as any divisive individuals. And do it ASAP. Let them go and ruin some other company and other peoples lives.Director of software engineering in Software, 201 - 500 employees
Usually in a negative way. As a leader, the culture needs to be set so that office politics aren't a part of it. It needs to be made clear that politics aren't going to be useful to get anywhere. This communication starts at the hiring process. Often these individuals realize that this culture is not a fit for them and move on. Or they reduce their politicking. Either way, a win. Manager in Construction, 51 - 200 employees
I don't believe that there is ever any value in bringing politics into an organisation, it certainly won't add value. Politically-driven people tend to more focused on their own goals rather than the organisational values.Content you might like
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CTO in Software, 201 - 500 employees
Without a doubt - Technical Debt! It's a ball and chain that creates an ever increasing drag on any organization, stifles innovation, and prevents transformation.Community User in Software, 11 - 50 employees
organized a virtual escape room via https://www.puzzlebreak.us/ - even though his team lost it was a fun subtitue for just a "virtual happy hour"
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