Business Basics & Politics: More in Common Than What Meets the Eye

Deepanshu Sharma

The worlds of business and politics have much to learn from each other. The basics of strategy and execution are measured using the same yardstick. Read on, whether or not you are interested in politics, for these lessons are useful for either camp.

It is mid 2017, and political pundits are already speaking of what might happen in India’s general elections in 2024, as if 2019 is already done and dusted. Some may say, it’s too early, but what’s clear is that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has earned a thumping mandate in the most populous state of India, which represents a population larger than all but 4 nations of the world. And this is just 5 months since the much debated and demonised ‘demonetization’ project.

If we peel off the political layers, the situation offers an interesting study in various business and management paradigms. Here I am calling out five elements of strategy, which I believe proved to be the deal breakers for the other political parties involved. These can potentially also be the pillars for reconstructing a once formidable organisation called the Indian National Congress.

Culture eats strategy for breakfast: Peter Drucker couldn’t have been more right. When you are in a high visibility mode, your cultural roots show up in more ways than you imagine. In this context, some parties turned a blind eye to hooliganism, some openly encouraged nepotism and some thrived on servility. And while some just stood united ‘for’ corruption, there was also this odd case of an incorrigible agitator. Few worried about what the customer (read, ‘the ordinary citizen’) wanted or needed.

Diversity & inclusion: Every party has a few senior leaders with experience and mettle, but a crucial aspect for these very capable and worthy leaders is, to be able to speak their mind and assume leadership when required, instead of acting subservient even when they could see the cracks. If there is no opportunity for voice of dissent, democracy is more destructive than despotism. This is perhaps why the king (or prince) looks naked, because in such cultures no one is willing to bell the cat about the proverbial emperor’s clothes.

Coopetition: The rules of the game are similar in both business and politics. While a responsible opposition is constructive, a ‘forever opposing’ ideology may not yield results. A healthy competition, plus a certain level of mutual respect is necessary and expected, for not just the national interest but also for the opposition to look good. Maybe it’s time for some to understand that they should give the devil his/her due, at least when deserved. After all, even the devil can’t be wrong all the time.

What got you here won’t get you there: This simple proposition from Marshall Goldsmith has proven itself over time. There are several examples from history, military and business which call-out the need for situational leadership. It recommends individuals and organisations to constantly reinvent themselves and feed-forward in order to stay relevant and ride the tides and times. Here again, while a ‘surname’ offered the binding force for the Congress party for the longest time, that alone cannot guarantee success today, or in the future.

Execution is the key: BJP could not get a clear mandate in Goa and Manipur, and lagged behind the Congress in seat count, yet they showed tremendous focus and a goal-oriented approach to execute on a strategy and garnered support from the smaller parties. End result – they were able to cross the finish-line with sufficient support before the Congress could even collect their thoughts. Strategy was one aspect, but speed of execution was the key for turning around an otherwise adverse situation.

While I am at it, let me also take this opportunity to outline 5 leadership principles which prove themselves through this situation.

Leader as the visionary: The role of a leader is to be able to envision and then articulate that vision in a manner which creates a shared purpose among the masses. People’s mandate in Uttar Pradesh makes it rather clear on who they believe offered visionary leadership.

Succession planning: Timely succession planning can avoid costly errors of judgment at crucial junctures. While you groom leaders you shouldn’t put all your bets on the same horse. You’d rather have a leadership pipeline, i.e. multiple leaders who are equally adept to steer the boat, much like the army where you always have a chain of command – second-in-command, third-in-command, and even beyond. So, if and when a leader is compromised you have a few more back-ups to take charge.

Leadership development: William Shakespeare said, “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”. But what if some never get there? It takes self-reflection and tremendous courage to realise and accept that fact. Now, if I may add my twist, some realise on their own, some have to seek realisation and in some cases, realisation has to be thrust upon them.

Leadership and communication: A matured leader is able to rally the troops, rising above petty politics and use the power of words effectively without sounding mean, petty or silly. History has never been kind to those who are not effective communicators, so it’s pretty much like the par for the course. Unfortunately in this case, the Shakespearean thought goes only some distance – you are either a naturally great orator or able to develop the skill, it can’t be thrust on you.

Earn the stripes: You can earn respect through various means, whether it be basis your past record, inspiring actions or visionary thought leadership. At least one of those, if not all. If neither holds true, then you are surviving on borrowed time, which will run out sooner than later.

I’ve said enough so I shall take the liberty to abstain from passing judgment on any one individual or party on these counts. These are just some commonalities between the worlds of politics and business, which have worked in the business world and the reverse holds true as well.

My intent is only to seed a thought in the minds of the reader. If you did read this article till here, I hope it has connected some dots for you too.

#leadership #vision #planning #development #growth #communication