Trust Over Competence Equals Politics

If a captain is chosen because of a personal relationship which results in trust, then the team soon learns that the leader can be manipulated and the subtle race for influence will begin. Politics are competitive and have no place within a team. Politics on a team can only exist if the leader chooses to participate. Internal politics are always caused by the leader reinforcing compliance with favor. Politics can be eliminated if teammates are rewarded for merit regardless of relationship, status, and “cool” factor.