COMMON FACTS OF LIFE IN BIG ORGANIZATIONS & CORPORATE WORLD

Passing Phenomenon Of Vision & Mission In Big Organizations

In big organizations, it is very easy to formulate vision, mission and noble intention for moving forward to greater heights of achievement. The difficult part involves direction, implementation, conviction and commitment.  Why?

The bigger the organization, the more complex is the inherent structure. The more complex the structure, the more diversities prevail. The more the diversities, the more will complications arise. More complications lead to more differences of opinion among the people in the organization. More differences of opinion contribute to more frustrations within the organization. More frustrations within the organization culminate to personal conflicts. The more personal conflicts, the more office “movies” take place. The more office “movies”, the more muddle-headed are the people in the organization. The more people become muddle-headed, the more confusion crops up. The more the confusion, the more going around in circles pertaining to administration of the organization. Finally, the norm of going around in circles end up with the original vision, mission and intention becoming a passing phenomenon that has earlier excited everybody but fizzles out without substance. 

Sounds familiar?

Most organizations easily create much hype on their grand vision and mission statements. But not many have the resolve to handle the aspects of direction, implementation, conviction and commitment which require all internal stakeholders to blend firmly together.

Organizations successful in manifesting their vision, mission and intention are those which institute measures to iron out the intricacies of process and manpower management from the source to the tail end. Creating profound mission and vision statements is very easy. Doing the right things right continually without fail in all aspects of the organization is the impossible part if without absolute resolve by the management. Of course, needless to say, a strong leadership is a must as the first prerequisite, and this can only materialize by having all-round quality management in the organization. Efficacious direction, implementation, conviction and commitment are the four fulcrums to lever for successful achievement of vision and mission statements.

Art Of Winning In Corporate Political Games

In corporate politics, the key to winning is wits. It depends who can outwit the adversary in the political games.

When you deal with somebody within the same corporation who is trying to play games with you but you know that guy does not have the “brain capacity” to outwit others, you should use your brain to outwit him. To outwit an adversary, your emotions and mind must remain composed. Composure is important for you in two respects:

When you react with bitterness or vent-up indignant emotions because of political games directed at you by your adversary, your mind will become clouded and your counteracting spirit is doused. You will then lose the resolve to outwit him. In the end, you fall into the trap of your adversary. You relent and you let him win in the game.

If you have the necessary knowledge and experience for the job you are in, and if you have a sturdy mental capacity, advantage is at your side. But very important is that you ought to remain composed instead of being agitated when your adversary seems to have the upper hand. Stay cool to strategize your moves with resolve instead of biting yourself with frustrations. When your adversary purposely passes issues to you, do not let the issues eat your heart out. Do not hold on to the issues without doing anything to legitimately pass them back to the sender. So, manage your emotions, mind and attitude in order to win your political games against your adversary.

Unless you do not hope to move up the corporate ladder in the near future, you should now learn to be engaged in corporate games whether you like it or not. I always say: “You may not want to get involved directly in office politics, but you should at least be aware enough of the political environment so that you know how to defend your position by counteracting the moves of your sly adversary.” Your mind-set must be ready to face issues, obstacles and unfavorable developments. You may not want to start a game against anybody, but when someone starts to play politics against you, you must be mentally sturdy enough to defend yourself.

When you get frustrated or agitated, your gestures show; others around you can notice your troubled countenance. When your frustration or agitation shows, the more your adversary will try to further agitate and frustrate you by pushing more of his games to your side. The ill-intent is simple – he wants you to fall into his trap. He wants you to give up. 

I had frequently heard common outbursts from former colleagues (before I left the corporate world) that either they were getting tired of politicking in their place of work, or they did not care any longer whatever would happen to them. Unconsciously, they were falling into the trap of their adversaries. By adopting such a negative withdrawn attitude, they already reclined to defeat.

Remember: Your adversary will have the upper hand if he is composed in thoughts and actions but you are not.

Now, here are two "reflective" cartoons on internal corporate politics.......humorous.........but can be similar realities of corporate life.

  (Source: Dilbert Cartoons)