Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Chapter Seven

HOME ALONE

Your main political ally has suddenly left the organization, and only now do you realize that you have very few friends in high places.

 

 

 

 

Achieving success in an organization is impossible alone.

It requires the commitment and engagement not only of our peers and direct reports, but also from our bosses and other key stakeholders. And when we enjoy a great level of support and engagement from those above us, then politically, life can be much simpler. It is easy to notice that without it, we are more likely to struggle.

But what happens if we have been benefiting from one supportive and highly influential stakeholder—who then suddenly leaves? What do we do when we suddenly realize the extent to which we relied on that single powerful ally to help us? What do we do when we find that—despite having a crowd around us—politically, we are home alone ?

The Home Alone Dilemma

It was all going so well. With Donna around, I had a key ally, someone who I trusted and who trusted me in return. She was a key supporter. I can think of many times when she not only fought for my team but also fought political battles for me—battles that I think I would not have won without her. Also, it seems that she knew everyone. Of course that’s an overstatement—but it always seemed that she had an inside track on what was going on around here. She always knew who to talk to, to get things done. It seems that she knew the attitudes and positions that other people would ...