Office Politics - Good or Bad?

Politics is everywhere... If you think it only exists in the government, then you have another think coming. Even the smallest organisations, politics is evident in daily routines. Usually, it is governed by individuals. Everyone in life has a purpose, even when they work. I believe it is termed as "political agenda". Eveyone has an agenda, no matter how insignificant.

Usually, if the agenda is centred around the good of the organisation and its people, then the outcome of that agenda will be good and people, being people, will be swayed (hopefully). If it is for an individual's selfish gains, then the outcome is even clearer, the outcome may be good, but the process of achieving the polictical goal may be conflict-ridden. In this instant, people will just put on their defensive shields to protect their "rice-bowls" and the saying "Ask my boss" will be on everyone's lips. This results in too many red-tapes, causing inefficiency. Too often, this is the modus operandi. I have seen too many people with different agendas - individuals wanting to "score points" but leaving their people bemused and the outcome - murky.

So the bottom line is: If politics is for a good cause, then it should be good, assuming that "good" is all-encompassing, meaning good for organisation, its people, etc.