Rlchard Pettlnger

Realpolitik

Realpolitik is the art of survival in a particular organization, occupation or situation. This requires knowledge and understanding of the ways in which everything operates, and of the different pressures and influences that are brought to bear. Above all, all organizations have their own internal politics – the means by which influence and rewards are gained or lost. Individuals and groups have to survive long enough to become successful and effective within their environment. They have to be able to make use of systems, procedures, practices, and support mechanisms. People have therefore to develop their own format for the roles and functions that they carry out in order to maximize their chances of being effective and successful within the working environment. What is normally required is therefore:

» developing approaches based on a combination of role, functions, and personality; adding a personal strand to the occupational and professional;

» developing approaches based on individual influence involving recognizing the nature of the influence of particular individuals;

» developing networks of professional, occupational, personal, and individual contacts and using these as means of gaining fresh insights and approaches to issues and problems;

KEY CONCEPTS AND THINKERS 95
» developing funds of bargaining chips – equipment, information, resources, and expertise which can be used in trade-offs and for mutual advantage when required;

» developing a clarity of thought around the entire aspect of organi- zation operations and activities. This is based, on the one hand, on what is important, urgent, and of value to whom; and on the other, what facilitates progress and what hinders or blocks it; and

» recognizing what is rewarded and what is not; and what is punished and what is not.

The inability to operate within organizational political systems is extremely stressful. It is also stressful for individuals who bring high absolute standards and codes of conduct with them to their work, and find that they are under pressure to compromise these from time to time.

Source: McAlpine, A. (2000) The New Machiavelli. Wiley.