Why Performance isn't enough

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In his book " Power :Why some people have it and other's dont", Jeffrey Pfeffer talks about how important it is to understand Politics and Organisation Dynamics. He cites a few examples on how high performers were forced to leave their organisations because of politics

 In 2004, the Miami-Dade county, Florida, school board hired former New York schools chancellor Rudy Crew as superintendent to help a struggling school district. During his tenure, the disctrict was a finalist in the board prize for urban education 3 years in a row. He was also awarded the National Superintendent of the year by the American Association of School Administrators. However, within 6 months of receiving the award, he was forced to quit by the School board.

 The book talks about how people live in the fallacy that we live in a Just-World and do not recognise the intrigues of the real world.

 In another case, Jim Walker who was hired to build Nomura Securities' Asian operations was a charismatic leader who built a flat organisation was successful in increasing the company's profits. However, he failed to recognise the political nature of the environment and was forced to quit the organisation.

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