It’s not just political parties that must learn to share power

As we look on at the political parties jostling for position and trying to find ways to work effectively together, perhaps there are some parallels to be drawn with the management of a business.

The common goal of secure government and achieving the best for this country and the voters is a starting point, but of course defining what that means may be more difficult.  In company terms this is like agreeing a mission statement, which must then be translated into targets and performance indicators.  These are the motivators that should bring the team together as they collaborate towards their goals.

Starting from a point where the three party leaders were presenting themselves in ways to accentuate their differences, they have now moved to seeking out and highlighting their similarities and the common ground in their policies. 

The management team (Cabinet) needs to communicate in a different way, moving from the adversarial style of debate used in opposition to a more open, questioning style that will help them understand others’ points of view.  There will inevitably be conflicting ideas and beliefs, but exploring them is an effective way to create new ideas and bring about positive change that may fulfil more of the organisation’s ambitions.

With common goals and an agreed strategy, the team must delegate roles (Directors, Managers, Ministers) and establish a reporting procedure so that everyone is accountable for their responsibilities, and maintains the momentum.

Long term success of both a business and a country depends upon the knowledge and interpersonal skills of those at the top!