I know my last post was about politics but hey, it's a fascinating subject! What has prompted me this time is not my programme work on politics, nor even a coaching conversation, but a real-life discussion with a colleague about a political situation they are dealing with. What it reminded me is that as well as the experiential / metaphorical work I do on politics, there is real value in some simple re-frames I use, which work at the cognitive level to change our attitudes and hence behaviour. I want to share a couple with you.
My favourite is just to replace the word POLITICS with the word INFLUENCE (because that is what it is really about). Immediately, it is easier to see politics as something neutral that can be used with good or bad intent - so not a dirty word, or something you only pay attention to when you are suffering a setback. It is also much more difficult to hold the attitude of "I hate politics" or "I don't do politics". Because if you say "I don't do influence" the response is obvious, ie "Really? And you hope to lead?!"
Another reframe is to recognise that politics is something you do BEFORE you decide the way forward, not AFTER. So it is NOT just about manipulating others to support what you have already decided. Sensing out who is influential, what they would support and what they would oppose, what are the bigger agendas or the conflicting agendas etc, are all things you need to do before you commit yourself. Without doing this you are missing essential data that you need to make a good decision.
I could go on... but then I'd give away all my re-frames in one post! Anyone out there got some more they want to contribute first?
