How to survive and thrive in the politics of your organisation

1. Quotable quote

"In the internal politics of organisations, when people sell out to someone else, they also sell out themselves:

Still as of old
Men by themselves are priced -
For thirty pieces Judas sold
Himself, not Christ.

2. Viewpoint

"No matter what your company’s organisation chart says, politics is always an issue; how much of an issue varies from one company to another. Even if all departments are theoretically equal, does the CEO favour one department? Did the CEO and the CFO belong to the same fraternity at college? Have two department heads formed an alliance to get things done? Is it a friendly or hostile alliance? Does a political-ly savvy underling have more power than her boss? Pay attention at meetings. And watch how your boss interacts with other employees in the company. Take politics into account."

3. Here's an idea

Avoid being against anything. Instead, be for something. For example, instead of being against company proposals to move into the outsourcing of services, be for it - so you can focus on improving outsourcing. …