How does Company Politics Start?

Abstract

How does a company culture become as disparate, negative and unfocused as many of us can contest they are? In a start-up operation, it is clear that individuals meet their own personal goals by optimising the realisation of the company’s goals. By pleasing customers, making sales, working as a team with an ‘all hands on deck’ approach and getting it ‘right first time’, the company will grow successfully and with it their jobs, pay packets and status. Because of the small numbers, everyone is exposed and, if they want to be accepted by their peers, will be keen to work with the desired attitudes, values and behaviours. The only behavioural norms are positive norms. The culture would, therefore, be described as an ‘excellent culture’.

‘It is a curious psychological fact that the man who seems to be egotistic is not suffering from too much ego but from too little.’

(Sydney J. Harris)