Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

The Political Bottom Line

When given the opportunity to lead, it is natural for us to want to impress and make a good start. We are motivated to make things happen, make our mark, and contribute to the success of the organization. And part of that process is likely to introduce significant change. Making significant changes too soon might be seen as disrespectful of the heritage, critical of the previous leader, and an accusation of previous mismanagement. Even at the best of times, teams take a while to adjust to a new leader, and when the ex-leader was a tough act to follow the process is not only going to take longer, but it is going to be more complex.

We need to be ready for this. We need to listen and learn about the success our predecessor achieved and consider incorporating some aspects of their style. Rather than outlaw or disapprove of the team talking up the former leader, we should let the team talk openly about the previous boss and use this as an opportunity to influence them with our own style and brand. It should be part of our ambition to achieve our own greatness and become someone else’s tough act to follow.