Staying True When the Politics Drag You Down

It was this time three years ago that I had the great privilege to co-facilitate a Leadership Immersion program for The Hunger Project and Business Chicks to Senegal, Africa with Karen James. When my Facebook memory popped up this week of Coumba below, her message took on a different meaning as I reflected on the work I have been doing with Executives over the past few weeks.

Huge pressure continues to bear down on leaders, particularly those faced with leading their organisations through industry-wide disruption.  It can be challenging to stay optimistic and true to your values, when fear, politics and faction fighting become pervasive. Externally, a stream of constant “doomscrolling” online and bad news can see people quickly fall into the negative space of blame, victimhood and isolation, creating “us vs them” environments. "You're either with me or against me" ways of thinking.

“When they go low, we go high.”

Michelle Obama

Growing up the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee made a big impact on me, and later the film with Gregory Peck. Whenever I think of leadership and integrity Atticus Finch comes to mind. The fortitude and resolve to stay true to his values despite the pressures testing him at every turn create stability in highly emotional and volatile moments.

If you find yourself feeling sucked into the overwhelm of faction fighting and “playing politics”, then the following may help you recalibrate and remain true:

Face Forward

Where you focus is where you go. If you find yourself falling into the negative spiral and environment around you, notice when your focus is ‘away’ from or ‘toward’ your purpose, contribution or mission. It’s natural to feel the negativity in the environment, so ask yourself where your energy and focus is better dedicated. Be the person shining the light toward a better future.  

Set Boundaries

When the corralling of “allies” begins, and water cooler conversations feel compromising it can be difficult to stand up with courage. If you aren’t sure how to confront the situation or person without creating conflict, remember focus on the behaviour not the person. Just like Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”, sometimes people love a good ‘stoning’. As alluring as it can be to participate and take the easy path out, align to your highest values, and be clear on “what is okay” and “what is not okay”. Simon Sinek’s short FBI model can be very helpful for having that tougher conversation.

Seek your Tribe

One thing that is often challenging for leaders is finding a tribe of visionaries and likeminded people wanting to level up and lead through the disruption occurring. Often they are not always within your organisation and may even be competitors. Seek the ‘thought leaders’. It can be easy to neglect your network when you are flat out, yet this is the time more than ever to “lookup” and be strategic about your connections.

Ask Questions that Provoke Forward-Thinking (without the judgement)

It can be easy for us to point the finger at others in situations as being right or wrong. When you hear a negative pattern of talk or chatter occurring, start thinking about the ways you may respond in future with powerful reframe questions at hand (often questions beginning with “What if…”). Imagine if like Coumba, we all make a choice every day to lift up those around us, even when they are batting low.

Sometimes we all need a “yawou” wake up call, to snap us out of the negativity we may have succumbed too, without even realising it. What if you can be the person through your example, who gives others permission to step back up into the light?

Love to hear the other strategies that work for you.