20 Rules ofPower Politics in Clubs

Gary Hamilton, J.D.Professor The Collins College of

Hospitality ManagementCal Poly Pomona

Rule 1:Less Is More

What you say can hurt you therefore, impress by saying less.

As resident club expert, resource, and consultant...invoke managerial prerogative…

Take the matter “under advisement”.

MM

Rule 1a:Value is Created by Scarcity

Strategic “face time” should be the norm.

MM

Rule 1b:You Have No Opinion

Members have opinions…

Managers present data, statistics, and trends

MM

Rule 1b:You Have No Opinion

But only the powerless fail to influence the selection process…

MM

Rule 2:Perfectionism Can Cost You

Appearing human (and therefore fallible) makes you more approachable.

AA

Rule 2:Perfectionism Can Cost You

Envy creates silent enemies.

Robert Greene,The 48 Laws of Power

AA

Rule 3:Timing Is Everything

Patience demonstrates control.

Control is the essence of power.

CC

Rule 4:Don’t Step In!

Decline to step into someone else’s “Shoes of Success”.

HH

Rule 5:Change Is Incremental

Too much, too soon, is bad news.

II

Rule 6:Smoke And Mirrors Work

If special effects work for movies — then it can work for your career.

Build on strategic successes.

Things are often the way they appear to be.

AA

Rule 7:It’s Not Who You Fire That Makes Your Life Miserable…It’s Who You Don’t

Neutralize the problem before it neutralizes you.

Emotional infections are as corrosive to power as incompetence.

VV

Rule 7a:It’s Who You Hire That Makes YourGoals Achievable…

Always hire the best.

Don’t let them overstay their welcome.

VV

Rule 8:Encourage Myths Image is everything.

The imagery of raving “fans” and legacies of legendary service are perpetuated by myth telling.

Rituals, traditions and “secret handshakes” create cults of followers and true believers in your leadership.

EE

Rule 8a:Training Member Expectations

A member is happy when their expectations are met...therefore... control the expectations.

EE

Rule 9:Make It Look Easy

Credibility suffers when you complain.

Excellence in the effortless.

You’re the “Shell Answer Man”

LL

Rule 10:Know The Players

Faces, names and power affiliations are keys to success.

Reasonable members will agree – If they have the facts

LL

Rule 11:The Wrong Shoes Hurt OrThe Round Peg In The Square Hole Syndrome

Match the culture.

If you don’t fit you must acquit.

Avoid the “golden handcuffs”.

II

Rule 12:Power Is…A Game Of Appearances

Image is everything...

Perception is reality…

Symbolism adds to power...

TT

Rule 13:Never Step Into The Spotlight Of A Star

A general manager should never play to the crowd, when the boss is around.

Being a good #2 is harder than most people think.

HH

Rule 14:Never Imagine That The Prodigal Son or Daughter Can Do No Wrong

Falling from favor can be quick and painful.

No one leads a charmed life forever.

You gotta see it coming.

EE

Rule 15:Reputation Is Your Most Powerful Asset

A reputation is based on one or more outstanding qualities...

Draw from your strengths...

A reputation has the power of magic.

PP

Rule 16:Those Who Control the Flow of Information, Control the Options and the Outcomes

Meeting minutes, agendas, trends, drafts and pilot programs...can be “framed” to produce results.

The Power of History RR

Rule 16:Those Who Control the Flow of Information, Control the Options and the Outcomes

It’s not what you say, so much ashow you say it.

Publish your truth. RR

Let members reach their own conclusions… based on your information.

People do shoot the messenger.II

Rule 17:Don’t Be The Bearer Of Bad News

Rule 18:Surrender When Necessary

Arguing with a member and winning is a Pyrrhic victory, resentment and retaliation will follow.

Surrender means survival.

Some people are pushed...others jump... NN

Rule 19:Be Decisive

Hesitation infects execution.

Timidity is dangerous.

CC

Rule 19a:Be Decisive

Quitters, Campers and Climbers

CC

Rule 20:Recreate Yourself When Necessary

The game today, changes often.

Flexibility and adaptation are versatile power skills.

MM

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Power Politics In Clubs: A General Manager’sSurvival Guide

The management and balance of power is a permanent undertaking,not an exertion that has a foreseeable end.

- Henry Kissinger

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