6 Ways To Master Office Politics

"Office politics" has become a dirty phrase in the workplace,
synonymous with backstabbing, gossiping and internal battles. It can
get so rough that many employees prefer to stay out of it, isolating
themselves. But like real politics, it comes down to a game. And every
game has rules.
There's no way to eradicate office politics. But there are ways to keep
them friendly, light and harmless. While it's commonly accepted that
the attitude of an office reflects the attitude of the boss (i.e. lazy
manager = lazy workers), employees have a lot of power to influence
morale. It's just a matter of putting a little effort towards keeping
it high.


Since we spend longer hours, and therefore a large portion of our
lives, in the office, it pays to hone your political ingenuity. It's
all a matter of working well with people face-to-face, resolving
conflicts and refraining from gossip.
These are also the qualities of great bosses, so, if you display these
behaviors, chances are your boss will take note and keep you in mind
when that promotion comes around.

1- Talk to people

Work is about people. You work with people and for people. A faceless,
impersonal work environment goes against this, breeding dissatisfaction
and resentment. You should talk to people face-to-face whenever
possible, reserving e-mail for those not in your office. When you make
the effort to communicate in person, it shows a knack for interaction
and good communication. So take the initiative and leave your cubicle
to deliver a message.
In the workplace, isolation is the best way to be overlooked, if not
spurned. When you refuse to be a part of the workplace, you might be
setting yourself up to be the subject of gossip, or worse, the
scapegoat of trivial problems. So don't be an outsider and practice the
art of one-on-one.

2- Stay out of gossip

While it's tempting to add your two cents to the water cooler
symposium, keep your mouth shut. You don't want your name circulating
around the office as the guy who revealed the damaging dirt on a
colleague. If you hold a grudge against a colleague, keep it to
yourself. Nothing good will come out of smearing someone's reputation,
and you'll be saving your own. And most importantly, do not take sides.
A divided workplace is a perfect impediment to morale and productivity.

If anything, you should just listen to gauge what's on the other
workers' minds. You may even be able to present yourself as a solution
to a nascent problem.

3- Don't complain


Like gossiping,
complaining is a vice that's hard to break once you get into it.
Complainers are annoying, counterproductive, and have a habit of
dragging others down with them. Bosses like problem solvers, not
problem seekers. If there's something about the company you don't like,
make yourself a solution to the problem, not a part of it.
Be a source of pleasure. If you laugh and smile a lot, but keep a
professional stance, you help keep things light and fresh. Encourage
people to feed off your good vibes.

4- Act as peacekeeper

Step in as a conflict mediator when things get rough. If you've
demonstrated an ability to remain neutral amid internal conflicts,
here's your chance to reason with others. Identify that one employee
who's out for blood. Approach him and ask him what he's concerned
about. Try to assuage his anger and convince him that spreading vicious rumors will hurt everyone.
When you can stay above petty politicking and actually work to solve
problems rather than inflame them, it sets an example for others.

5- Focus on similarities

A great tool to resolve conflicts, and also to keep yourself from
stooping to dirty politics, is to look for things you have in common
with your colleagues. It's very easy to obsess about your differences
with others, and many fall for this. But it's important to realize that
few people are the way you'd like them to be. So put aside your
dislikes and see what similarities you have instead. It'll be a lot
easier to work with them.
Furthermore, don't blame others for your mistakes. Take responsibility
for your muck-ups. You'll be respected for it, and maybe even set an
example.

6- Try to look ahead

In a world of fast business and impending deadlines, it's easy to lose
track of long-term goals. One begins to see daily work as a series of
procedures without any meaningful end. Don't fall into this trap. Keep
your company's mission in mind and make every day a step in that
direction.

Looking ahead also means looking past immediate problems and knowing they'll be solved. Stay optimistic.
Keep telling yourself that it's just a slump and that'll be over soon.
Furthermore, remind your colleagues of this when they feel hopeless and
disheartened. Your boss will thank you.


In the game of life, there are those who know the rules and play by
them, and those who try to pretend the rules don't exist. It's usually
the latter that are dissatisfied and create bad vibes in the office.
By knowing the rules and working to keep the game fun and friendly, you
rise above the miscreants. And more importantly, you make work more
satisfying for yourself and others.


Resources:

http://globeandmail.workopolis.com

www.ivillage.co.uk

www.cyberpsych.com

www.seekingsuccess.com