POLITICS!

“Damned If You Do and Damned If You Don’t.”

That is the first thing that pops in my head when I think about how politics plays out in our work culture. There really is no getting around not playing the game. Even choosing to be the kindest staff member willing to help everyone is still a political play.

Speaking the Unspeakable

In my organization, speaking your mind can come at a cost. So before you do, you should weigh out the consequences. Will the return on investment be worth the price? There will always be the opposite side of the coin, and it’s imperative to know which workmates are on which side. It is so easy to isolate yourself with a simple slip of the tongue.

The role that politics plays here is all in how you message. If you offend those you work with, chances are that your design ideas won’t be heard.

Gap Between Espoused Values and Behavior

It is not uncommon for staff members to go along with the popular opinion but act in a way that serves their own individual interests. Our organization supports acting on behalf of the greater good, but our metrics don’t always support that belief.

People will say that their values are aligned to the organization, but, in reality, their values are aligned to what will get them a raise or promoted.

The role that politics plays here is to try to find ways to model integrity. Demonstrate how your designs add value while still being ethical.

Loyalties: Professional

“Peer pressure doesn’t go away after high school. It’s still there in big organizations.” — Ruth Schmidt, Associate Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design

Culture plays a huge role in where professional loyalties lie. So many times, it’s really who you know, not what you know. Your work friends can make or break your success when introducing a change or bringing attention to something within the organization that is not working well.

The role that politics plays here is to realize that you can’t take your allies for granted. Your allies are your sounding board, temperature check, and support when you need design feedback.