The literal definition of the term a house of cards refers to a structure made out of stacked playing cards that stands upright due to balance and friction. No other support means are used, such as tape, glue, paper clips, etc. The idiom house of cards (not to be confused with the Netflix series ‘House of Cards’) describes a precarious situation. It’s a colourful way of saying a system, structure, or state of affairs is insubstantial, shaky, and likely to fail or collapse.
When applied to working as a political staffer, I interpret the phrase as instability in the workplace, threatening project completion. This could entail not everyone doing their share of the work, a severe lack of communication, or authoritarian leadership, all of which can stunt the delivery of critical projects. For example, imagine a political campaign where the staff members are not on the same page, and there is a lack of direction and clear communication from the leadership. This can lead to confusion and a lack of progress, making the campaign feel like it is on the brink of collapse.
To avoid this scenario, managers should take the following steps.
1. Allow your team to take risks
This encourages the team to find innovative solutions to existing problems. In many ways, success in politics is linked to thinking outside the box. A political campaign, for example, that is prepared to take chances and attempt new strategies is more likely to stand out and establish momentum with people.
2. Share the workload
Carefully defining roles and delegating tasks to a diverse range of people enables the operation to work more cohesively. And when everyone knows what their responsibilities are, it ultimately leads to an effective and productive team.
3. Avoid micromanaging
Micromanaging can be off-putting and can alienate staff instead of being encouraging. Instead, managers should empower their team members to take responsibility for their work and make decisions independently. This can aid in the development of trust and respect among team members, resulting in a more motivated team. Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign is an example of a well-run, cohesive, and effective political operation, and a key component of the campaign’s success was the autonomy and empowerment given to staff members.