The workplace is chaotic and complex. But with tips from Math de Vaan's latest book, "Machiavelli on the Shop Floor", hopefully it will become a lot less chaotic and complex.
Math de Vaan is an organizational consultant with Van de Bunt adviseurs as an associate partner. He is also a cultural anthropologist and sociologist and received his PhD from Nyenrode Business University where he conducted his research.
Machiavelli in the Workplace
The book starts with an example from the classic world of work. You've written a recommendation, which everyone likes. Then you go into the organization. Then the cart gets completely stuck in the organization. Math researched why the cart is getting stuck.
The three properties
Math discusses three traits from his book, namely personal networking, social acumen and interpersonal communication skills.
Social acumen, what is meant by this? According to Math, you often hear, when people talk about politics in the workplace, that they do know how the fences run. "By that they actually want to say something like 'I do know who acts in which way.' But that actually also includes asking why the hares walk the way they do. What I actually mean by that is that you know what someone else's interest is. For example, if you want the same thing in an organization, you and a fellow manager, you can form a group, a coalition, with her. And how you then fight together for what you think is important. How others are in the race is terribly important".
Curious about the other features? Then listen to the latest episode of the Work Professor!
Links
More about Math de Vaan.
Find the book here!
More about the Working Professor
Do you have questions or input? Please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com.
Curious about the next guest in the Werkprofessor or want to be the first to hear the teaser of the next episode? Follow the Werkprofessor on https://www.linkedin.com/company/viepeople/.
Build best-performing teams based on objective HR data
A well-executed data-driven HR approach provides a grip on the development and well-being of your people, as well as clarity and transparency. But where do you start and how do you ensure assurance within your organization?
.png)