Time for politicians to grow up

It’s been an intriguing couple of weeks in the UK. Our new coalition Government seems to have caught the imagination of the media… and maybe the public at large.

It’s been really fascinating observing the way political commentators have responded to this “new” politics. The instinct has always been I suppose to look for division and conflict. That’s what makes a good story right?

Putting my own politics to one side I actually feel a sense of optimism around this bold move. The politics in this country has long been defined by the rough and tumble, “Punch and Judy” charade that is PMQs.

The tone of the debate is unnecessarily gladiatorial. It’s outdated, outmoded and out of touch. No wonder trust in UK politicians is at an all time low.

The slightly adolescent point-scoring is just not something you see very often in most of the big organisations we work with here at H&K. Our clients tend to show a bit more respect to their colleagues.

And we’ve seen clients going through mergers, integrations, redundancies. Often we see people sitting around a table with people who have only very recently been bitter rivals and competitors. And now they are focussed on addressing major changes affecting the livelihoods of real people. It’s just too important to be treated as a game.

Maybe that’s something our politicians are finally learning.

P.S. – Please check out my review of this weeks fascinating CIPR Inside event on how social media can help your career here.