Growth dies in the shadows.

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I never understood the excuse. A strong idea hits the table, and instead of testing it, someone shrugs: “We can’t. It’s political.”

I’ve sat in rooms where it happens. The idea is strong, the moment is charged, and then someone throws out: “It’s political.” The room goes quiet. Growth dies right there in that silence.

What they really mean is, “I don’t want to own the discomfort.” 

The discomfort of pushing a boundary. The discomfort of challenging a leader. The discomfort of making a real decision.

Google Glass is a good example. The idea was bold. A whole new interface for human interaction. But inside Google, politics and fear of backlash slowed progress. By the time it launched, the product carried the weight of those compromises. It failed not because the vision was weak, but because growth died in the shadows of internal politics.

When politics takes over, ideas vanish, momentum stalls, and the culture learns that survival matters more than progress. That’s when growth dies.

Sit with:

Where in your company does “it’s political” stall growth?

What discomfort is being avoided when that phrase comes up?

What message does it send when fear decides instead of leaders?

Are politics killing ideas in your brand before they see daylight? Let’s talk.

Politics bury ideas. Dysfunction buries teams → Hebba’s I Hate it Here shows you how to fix the mess.

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Ian Adams, Founder the little red sofa

Before founding the little red sofa, I led strategy and creative for brands like Jeep, HSBC, and Unilever at top global agencies and in-house teams across 8 countries. Now I work with founders to turn brand clarity into sustainable growth.