Survive office politics

Read if: you love your job, but office politics are bothering you. Find: a way to cope with office games It’s your first month in a new company and you already start to feel like an outsider. Although you do possess the requisite skills and good reputation in this field, you can’t adapt to the new environment. Gossip and backstabbing are thick in the air and you find it hard to breathe. Welcome to the world of office politics, buddy. The law of the jungle rules here. This world will get you if you let it. In fact, the world will keep tossing us lessons — a difficult boss, an impossible task, difficult circumstances. But we can bear all of them if we spend some time on self-improvement and develop capabilities and skills that will help us survive. “Political moves are the navigation through your career – not the driver,” says Susan DePhillips, former V.P. of Human Resources for Ross Stores. Learn how to win over them: In order to cope with office politics we need to make sure that our emotional intelligence works for us. Let’s start with relationships with colleagues. The easiest way to avoid problems and confusing situations is to get along with people. We can establish a nice relationship with co-workers and be assertive when necessary. To make office politics work for you, it is good to respect and support your colleagues – both above and below you on the ladder. When you first start working in a new company listen and observe – no matter how you love the sound of your voice, follow the rule to listen 80% of the time and talk 20%. Keep your eyes and ears open and figure out where the politics lie. Then, make an assessment of the political situation – identify the dominant players and consider who to avoid. It is wise to find a mentor, or a co-worker , who can help you get a good insight into the office structure and social environment. This may be very helpful in order to show you where you fit in. However, bear in mind that people are two-faced and in business, everyone is “fighting for the bone”. Be wary of people who share “in confidence”, because they may share your own private matters with someone else in future. Try to read between the lines and think twice before saying something. If there’s and issue with a co-worker, better address it to your supervisor, instead of entering into a confrontation with a co-worker. Focus on the issue and tasks; not on the person. Be a straight arrow. A wise way to stay away from troubles is to be seen as a loyal person who doesn’t play office politics. Do what you have promised to do, alert colleagues to problems and admit your mistakes. In case you have to take a decision on someone else’s behalf, inform that person. For example: “I had to do this and that, because you were absent. I wasn’t trying to go behind your back.” Keep records of documents. If you believe that a matter will come back to haunt you, make sure that you have an archive of e-mails and documentation, related to it. This is an effective way to highlight your own accomplishments when a performance evaluation is conducted. Nothing destroys the rhythm of work more effectively than gossip. If the company has issues, or you have heard something said in confidence, keep it to yourself. Otherwise, the people you work with will lose confidence in you and this may damage your reputation. For instance, if your colleagues start talking about Anna’s husband and her personal problems, shift the conversation by generalizing it – speak about men in general. But, in case you have information that will help your company, don’t keep it for yourself. You will gain trust and loyalty. Form strategic alliances, be diplomatic. Life would be easier, if we hadn’t egos and pride. But, we do. Thus, it is important to know how to communicate and express your opinion without offending anyone. Take examples of more experienced, well-performing colleagues and emulate their use of language, tone of voice and confidence level. Make yourself available to those people and offer your assistance when they need it. In this way you will gain more knowledge and establish a network of supporters. “Think of playing office politics as a game of strategy through which you are able to get the resources and influence you need to accomplish your goals. Most often those who are diplomatic, respectful and build coalitions with effective people win.” says Louellen Essex, co-author of “Manager’s Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night.” Stay neutral in case of conflicts. There will always be divisions and little social circles within companies, particularly larger ones. The best tactic in case you get in the middle of a struggle is to keep communication open and not show favour-even when you personally favor someone over the other. This is business and things need to stay professional. By staying neutral, you can facilitate conflict resolution without being involved. Read also: How to prevent and overcome a burnoutrnHow to impress a manrnHow to get rid of difficult stainsrnBoost the Outlook for Your Kids’ Future