Business Politcs - A new course for Sloan?

My first encounter in the real world - Business Politics.

A brief context: After graduation, a few Sloanies and I started a renewable energy consulting company, Geospan Energy Group. Thereafter, we soon landed our first engagement and client through the MIT network. Through this engagement in the last two months, I felt business school armed me with all the skills necessary to succeed except one - Business Politics

Dont confuse business politics with business ethics. Ethics is a big deal and it gets drilled into your head. Politics is a different story.

A big component of my first project has revolved around business and corporate politics, which has led to changing goals, significant rework, and project speculation. I am sure there is something to be learned about business politics that will focus the project towards efficient execution. Or maybe its instinct related? Either way, I will grab a book and try to get smart on this subject.

Before starting this blog, I checked the MIT Sloan course schedule and did not find any course offered on Business Politics. Whether or not Sloan offers courses in business politics, I think it is important to find a class across campus (in the political sciences department) and train yourself.

A side note on the future of the MBA Class of 2009:

I hear that most of my classmates (about 80% of the class) have landed job offers and found nice opportunities to begin their business careers. However, there are several others (I know of 20 classmates) that are doing freelance consulting (this is pretty easy to find through the MIT network) for now and keeping their heads above water waiting for the perfect opportunity. I have just approached my freelance efforts in a structured startup - Geospan Energy Group

Comments

[Sridhar]

Varun,
Found your blog from Ted Chan's blog and liked your article on Business Politics.
Did you find a book on Business Politics? I did read some books on Office Politics but they all point to Game Theory to approach the problem. I'd appreciate if you can share the book name.

[David W.]

Got my attention. When you figure out business politics - let us know the keys. I've been reading history books. Self-interest seems to drive everything. It is amazing how cruel we can be. Interestingly, Jim Collins found that the best leaders are focused on the cause first. How do you get everyone in an organization to focus on the mission and not getting ahead at the expense of other?

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Self-interest seems to drive everything. It is amazing how cruel we can be. Interestingly, Jim Collins found that the best leaders are focused on the cause first. How do you get everyone in an organization to focus on the mission and not getting ahead at the expense of other?

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Varun Really it is a good topic and useful info. I Like most