Politics, Power and Leadership — the Spanish Princess
Episode 4 — Waiting is a Strategy
Episode 4: The Battle for Harry
In Corporate Politics — Waiting is a strategy
In this Episode
In the game of politics, timing is everything. You have to know when the odds are against you. You have to have the grit and gumption to stick it out, the patience to wait. You need to have the wisdom to discern the times and the tenacity to wait for what you want. I have seen many young professionals who leave when the conditions are not favoring them only to be met with the same challenges where they go. Sometimes, understanding cycles and that they change is wisdom. It is also important to be aware that toxic environments are a function of a system that takes a long time to change. In that case, leaving may be the right move.
Reflecting on the Spanish Princess’ game
In the 4th Episode of the series, Queen Elizabeth dies as she gives birth to a stillborn, overtaken by immense grief. The King goes into seclusion, not able to take the death of his wife. All hell breaks loose with fear of treachery once again. The matriarch takes center stage and fills the gap of Leadership as a Regent. The matriarch’s style of leadership is a sight to watch. Conniving, manipulative, and takes no prisoners. The interesting part is that men fear her and will not be found on her wrong side. Authoritative and will sacrifice whoever stands in her way in an instant.
It is at this moment that the Spanish Princess’ plan and lie are under threat. The matriarch is in charge now and will, of course, not hear of it. She banishes the princess from the palace. Her aim is to make her as uncomfortable as possible and to finally get rid of her. Well, surprise surprise, I have seen this strategy play out in the corporate corridors. She of course does not know who she is dealing with. The Princess understands the power of acting calmly in the most tumultuous moments. She understands that time is not on her side. The best thing to do at this moment is to wait. The ability to wait and appear calm in the most testing moment is a rare gift. She waits and indeed, a good hour presents itself. She has an amazing gift of regulating the tempo. She knows when to wait and when to fully capitalize on the opportunity. The steady support of Linah is also remarkable at this stage. Linah affirms the princess and helps her to see the shortcomings of the matriarch. Jointly, they are able to journey through this tough period of life outside the palace.
Contrasting this game with the matriarch
The period of mourning shows us the character of the matriarch. She is evil, yet acutely perceptive and aware of things that are happening around her. She uses subjects to be spies of events happening beyond her reach. She is a master plotter and will use people for her objectives. She is always ten steps ahead. In a short period of time, she acquires the services of a shrewd funder to help the court with the challenges of the coffers running dry. Edmond Dudley, a social climber of note, a speaker of the House of Commons, and a lawyer. He knows exactly how to gain a seat at the table. He pledges his loyalty by helping the court to find creative ways to find the money. Pretty opportunistic and uses the power of affiliation to the matriarch to impose the harshest taxes and penalties. He is ruthless yet effective.
The matriarch also deals with a cousin whose loyalties have always been in question. Lady Pole has recently made her return to court. While she is indeed not welcome, there is a need for her nurturing nature to fill in the important motherly role as Princess Isabella is preparing to marry the King of Scotland. She is immediately assigned that role. If you look at the Political Archetypes, Lady Pole portrays an image of a Resister. She stands for the truth and will not allow her conscience to be swayed. The challenge with Resisters is seen as inflexibility and one who cannot be trusted. Although they stand for values, they easily find themselves in harm’s way as they stand for principles. This time brings a challenging moment in her life as news surfaced that her cousin, Edmund de la Pole, is planning an attack on the King. This leaves her vulnerable as her loyalty is questioned. The matriarch uses this vulnerable moment to extract the truth she has been seeking for a long time. Lady Pole had been a maiden assigned to Princess Catherine. She would have known the secret behind the Princess’ contorted story. She is principled, she will not expose the Princess. This upsets the matriarch and costs her the comforts of loyalty. She is exiled from the court. What follows is a difficult period that costs her dearly. Her conscience is more important to her. She can live with the consequences. She displays the same principles as she declines the request to support Edmund in his quest shortly after the banishment from the court.
Reflecting on the political strategies
These games may vary from different organizations and you would be aware of maybe even more strategies. You may not want to take part in them but it is often important to not be completely oblivious to them. Also, if you are aware of them, they do not become overwhelming, you can see them and have a chance of neutralizing them when the are at your disadvantage.
In this context, Princess Catherine seems to be leaning using the Interpersonal manipulation for her game, relying on the relationship she is forging with the soon to become King Harry. Time seems to be on her side as well. The powerful Queen Elizabeth who would fight this convincingly is gone. When we look at the matriarch, she is one interesting character who seem to be using all strategies possible to her advantage.
Protect yourself
I have seen many disadvantaged by these games. Even if you do not play them, be wise and protect yourself. Work spaces are rife with these and it is important to be alert. If you are new leader coming into a new environment, consider the following:
- Analyze the power chart
Often, functional authority does not equate to real authority on the ground. I once worked in an environment where we all knew, the power lay in the C-Level Executive superseding the CEO. We did not understand what informed this but we saw it play out in decisions and in arguments. The CEO was always too eager to explain what this Executive meant and simply agreeing with his position. In that light, it is important to map the organisational chart against the power chart.
With this information, it became very important to lobby the Executive prior to meetings if one wanted less challenges in approval. Sad but true.
- What is the network behind the formal network?
It is important to understand this as well as its interrelationships. Your subordinate may be more powerful than you. Understand what the basis of their power is and make a decision if it is worth leveraging that power or to collaborate with it. You can also make a decision to directly access that power so that it does not neutralize you and your decisions in future.
- Build useful allies
Build relationships that matter and that can introduce you to the correct platforms appropriately.
- Leverage your network
Many of the people we know already have access to the people we need. Do ask for assistance and capitalize on your networks.
- Stretch your “people skills.”
Stretch yourself to understand some personalities. Understanding people gives you an upper hand and you do not have to get emotionally worked up by what they do.
- Don’t rush where Angels fear to tread
It is always important to set your boundaries but be very tactful, avoiding causing more enemies.
- Neutralize negative politics
This means that you need to have fillers on the ground and quickly neutralize negative politics. You can either be aware of them through direct interactions or via other channels, the important thing is not to allow them to grow bigger than they need to.
Questions to Ponder on:
- Who are your loyal Linah’s? Are you valuing them for the absolute treasure they are?
- Who are the Matriarch’s archetypes in your world? Are you aware of the games they play?
- What are the strategies you use to engage the Matriarch?
- Are you aware of the perceptions they have of you?
- Are you aware of the areas where you need to play a long game tactic? What are your core beliefs that will help you in the wait?
