Politics in leadership?

“Politics is not leadership and leadership is not politics” is a quote from Thinking Leadership in Africa. Nevertheless, where there are people there is politics and where there are people there are leaders. Politics is a subtle element in leadership that plays out in many dimensions in public and private leadership. Greek leaders, Strategos, were openly politicians and military rulers. Julius Ceasar was both politician and military leader. While great effort is made in modern times to separate the military from politics in the public eye, the President or head of state remains the commander in chief of the armed forces.

Public leaders mobilize the political will of the people to fund national conquests making war a means to achieve political ends. The capacity to mobilize people and rally them to a cause is not just a political or military maneuver it is a challenge that exists at the heart of business leadership as well. The art of political persuasion wins votes and gives power (the authority to act on behalf of the people) to lead people to achieve a greater cause. Such causes cannot be achieved by an individual no matter how rich, talented or strong.

Political leaders employ the political process to create gains for the society they represent. In this regard they cannot be ignored as leaders and agents of social transformation. Indeed mastery of the political process is a key to creating social transformation. Similar effects can be achieved through business development, enterprise and military exploits but possibly none as overt as the social impact of effective politics.

In leadership theory and practice, politics is an enabler and facilitator of outcomes and desired ends. It is therefore a useful tool to master when leading a diverse group of people in a family or corporate institutions. It is an instrument of unity in diversity. While some believe it is the ultimate form of leadership, it certainly commands centre stage in world affairs and makes the headlines in every news bulletin. While corporate leaders may not be able to charm crowds in public or command the charisma of popular leaders, they must have their finger on the political pulse of their organizations as they mobilize staff teams to pursue and achieve business goals.

NGCL Team