Day 4 of 10 Career Challenge Actually Worth Doing, I’m sharing with you hard lessons we sometimes play to get our way in the workplace. Some of us recognize office politics and some of us don’t. If you don’t, you will learn the basics in this post. Buckle up, it’s not all pretty. It is just like playing chess. There are kings, queens, and pawns.
Often, office politics plays out outside the office, due to remote work opportunities. You might wonder, how could this be? Social media. Office politics skips around the office daily and airs daily on most all social media platforms, sadly. And inside the office as well.
Corporate life can be lonely, just as it can be very rewarding, I believe we all can agree. Navigating office politics is just part of the environment.
However, sometimes we find ourselves caught up in work secrets our boss told us not to share, we work with office villains disguised as Walt Disney Princesses, and we encounter the grand master of lies, screenshots and videos, And your typical bully. Office politics can be very tricky to navigate. But it can be easier, if you know some basics.
What is Office Politics?
Merriam-Webster says office politics is, “the activities, attitudes, or behaviors that are used to get or keep power or an advantage within a business or company.” And anyone can join in a play the game at any time. In its basic terms, power structures and power struggles.
When you are first hired at a company locate key players and observe, besides you want to know how each player plays the game. Right?
When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion. – Dale Carnegie
Office politics is an emotional game. Managing your own emotions, can help you navigate well. However, there are some key people to watch out for.
The Players
You have to know what you’re dealing with, so here are key players you will encounter.
- Your Manager
- Co-workers of all types in any department
- Unhappy people in any department
- Ones who keep the gossip going at work
- The overwhelmed and over achievers
- The “Bless her heart” coworker
- The “rule follower”
- Those who fall over the manager the “suck-ups.”
- The power-hungry player
- The player who overly critical of everyone
- The “victim” player
- The neurotic sociopaths (they play office politics well)
Sociopaths follow the Pareto rule.
They focus 80% on office politics and 20% on actual work. Given how successful some of them are, we might even wonder what’s more important…
I hope I haven’t scared you off, but I can honestly say, in my 30 years of working in a corporate environment, I have encountered every type, and more.
Winning at Office Politics
It’s easy, do your job and don’t play. Don’t engage in gossip, repeat facts not opinions, write down key points of discussions you have with those that play office politics well. Be a helpful and productive co-worker to all times at your company. Actually, stay in your lane. Stay neutral. It’s work, not your family.
‘Never Complain, Never Explain’ -Queen Elizabeth II
From my own personal experience, managers get very intimidated if you come across as more knowledgeable than they are. So, even if you are, don’t play all your cards at one time to please your manager.
Navigating Office Politics: Exercise
Navigating office politics is an emotional game, that’s it. First and foremost, learn to manage your own emotions. Always stay in control of yourself. Once you lose control, someone else will run havoc on you. Trust me on this one. Show off your emotional intelligence during any session of office politics.
Office politics are not all bad, you just have to weigh out each situation and determine its motive. So, since learning office politics takes time, especially when you are starting at a new company, this exercise will help you the most. Grab a journal, make lists, and OBSERVE. Silence says a lot.
- Become an active listener.
- Be authentic at work.
- Don’t engage in gossip groups.
- Be generous to your work family.
- Don’t play the game, win on with your job performance, and great work relationships.
- Stay neutral at all times
- Focus on a “service” mindset for all, Contribute positively to all situations
- Come to work with the agenda of getting the work done.
And lastly, I hate to break it to you, but your co-workers are not your friends. You can go out after work, but always keep in mind, they are co-workers. I’ll let this one set in for a while.
Final Thoughts and Words of Encouragement
Navigating office politics can be tricky, but remember, your authenticity and integrity are your greatest assets. Stay true to your values, build genuine relationships, and approach challenges with a positive mindset. In the midst of intricate workplace dynamics, let your dedication and hard work speak for themselves.
At every opportunity learn and grow, turning office politics into a catalyst for your professional development. You have the resilience to rise above, the wisdom to navigate, and the authenticity to leave a positive mark.
Trust in your abilities, stay focused on your goals, and let your professional journey be a testament to your strength and character in the face of office challenges.
Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts on office politics. Best of luck!
We’ll chat soon,
