I hate politics. So, when I was considering a post about politics and business, I stopped to think about this a bit. Did I really want to spend my time thinking about politics any more than I had to? Especially these days when it is all so ugly.

Then I read an article in the Boston Globe today about Governor Patrick and I just could not help relating many points to the business world. For those of you who are not up on Massachusetts politics, Governor Deval Patrick (D) was elected in 2006 and came from the private sector - never having held a political office before. WHAT? you say. Yeah, in a political machine like Boston, it was a crazy idea. But, just like Patrick, I have seen this happen in business many times - an outsider is brought in to lead a company or a business unit. Maybe for a good reason or maybe because he/she had the right connections - kind of like politics, right? 

In the article, that looks back on his first term, several statements really made me think of the business world. Speaking of Patrick in the early weeks in office, "...simply unaware of how to wield the influence of the corner office,... how to project an image as a strong leader." "He didn't understand how to corral his power,..."  Have you ever seen this in business? New company executives come in and don't understand the politics of being in charge. This politician did not understand the business of politics. 

Often, managers come into a new company and rub people the wrong way, are looked at suspiciously and may struggle to make the changes they want to see. Perhaps, like Governor Patrick, they need to learn the ropes first, observe and learn and then test the waters with new plans and decisions. Maybe they need to realize that they don't know everything relative to THIS organization and should take some time to figure out the who, what and why before laying down the new order. 

Patrick eventually got the hang of getting things done from the corner office. The article later states, "We are now seeing an experience, tough, seasoned political leader who has learned from some very painful experiences." I wonder if this is just the nature of being in charge. You need to come in and make a few mistakes. If you are smart enough to learn from these mistakes, listen and adjust, you are likely to make it after all - in politics or business.