man is by nature a political animal May 28, 2008
Posted by deepali in work.2 comments
So I have inadvertently found myself enmeshed in some office politics. I won’t go into details, suffice to say that I stumbled into them bearing good intentions, but in retrospect I should have known better (because in the end, it’s not my business). So for now, I’m biting my tongue (if a bit late), and hoping that things resolve somewhat amicably (and more importantly, without mentioning my name!).
I generally hate office politics, but I have resigned myself to the inevitable. You cannot avoid the beast, no matter how much you think you can. People offer all sorts of advice for staying out of the fray, but if you are at all involved in life at your office, if you collaborate with anyone on anything, or if you have some thoughts of upward motion in your career track, you will find yourself entangled in the nightmare eventually.
So I asked around for some advice on the matter, and got some great tips for how to deal with office politics. Feel free to offer some more!
The most common piece of advice I’ve gotten now is keep your mouth shut. Learning a little discretion not only makes you seem more trustworthy, but it also means you are less likely to get involved in a “he-said, she-said” type of situation. I already opened my mouth, but from here on out, I’m not saying anything unless someone in a position of authority asks me a direct question. And in that case, I’ll answer the question and nothing more.
I’ve also been told that I need to watch my performance. If I happen to come under any scrutiny, I don’t need to give anyone any ammunition against my character. As it is, I’m a stellar performer, but I’ll be extra cautious and diligent in the next few weeks.
I also received some good tips regarding dealing with office politics and conflict in general. Despite my inability to control my temper, I am actually very good at conflict resolution and diplomacy due to some excellent training in both. I have a colleague who doesn’t seem to like me very much, but I’ve learned to handle her with care.
One strategy that works well with her (and in general) is to maintain a good attitude. If you having a problem with someone, don’t get emotional, rude, or unapproachable. Instead, respond to her bad attitude with a smile and friendly remark. Don’t let it faze you. I found that this went a long way towards defusing a tense situation, and we are now in detente.
In addition, no one likes a whiner or a tattletale. Even if you feel you deserve something, complaining about it will only hurt you. Instead, remember that you are only one part of a larger machinery, and you are not indispensable. So again, smile and stay friendly, regardless about what happens. If you are trying to achieve something, make a strong business case for it, and present it to the appropriate people. And never ever approach the issue from the perspective of entitlement.
Creating trustworthy networks is another great way to manage the office politics game. This is not a euphemism for gossip, which is riddled with rumor and innuendo. Instead, engage yourself with people who you can trust, who can be discrete, and who can offer you assistance (and vice versa) when you need it. This way, you can pass information along in a straightforward manner. Additionally, being a good listener can help as well, because talkers like to talk to people who listen.
Learning to control your emotions can also go a long way towards helping you maintain stability at work. This is one with which I struggle, though I’ve gotten better about it (at least in my professional life). But losing your temper can cost you not only respect, but also trust. And in some cases, it’s been known to cause the death of one’s career trajectory.
And finally, observing others’ successes and failures can teach you a lot about how to behave at the office. There are always people who seek out crises – watch them, but don’t engage them. And there are those who have successfully navigated the waters – these are the ones to emulate. If possible, engaging one these success stories as a mentor will not only provide you a path to follow, but can also provide some immunity.
It is difficult to avoid office politics. It’s also not smart for your career. And managed correctly, office politics can actually help you with your career goals. The key is to learn the right strategies in order to make the most of your situation.
goals check-in and summer enjoyment May 24, 2008
Posted by deepali in goals.2 comments
I’ve become a baking fiend, probably as a reaction to the recent dryspell (due to being too busy). I’ve also found myself with large quantities of items that I would hate to throw away. So I’ve been baking. A few days ago, I made a twist on anzac biscuits (after a successful first attempt last month). Last time, I added orange zest, using this recipe. I found golden syrup at World Market, and the orange went swimmingly with the coconut and oats. This time around, I used cinnamon and nutmeg, and chocolate chips. They were warmer and earthier this time around. I can’t decide which version I like better. Perhaps next time I’ll just combine everything together.
I’ve also found myself with a large amount of blueberries, cherries, and grapes, so today I made lemon-blueberry muffins, and tomorrow I’ll make a cherry-nectarine-ginger crumble tart. As for the grapes… any suggestions? Other than just popping them in my mouth!
Checking in with my May goals over the long weekend -
I’ll have a topic for my thesis next week, hopefully, after I speak with a potential researcher.
The early rising is touch-and-go, but will get better now that classes are done and I have more routine.
I haven’t been tracking my eating habits, but they are noticeably better now that the farmers’ market has begun. I’m finding that berries are much tastier than fritos.
I haven’t been climbing as often as I’d like, but I have actually been making yoga classes pretty frequently. I have a new climbing partner (in addition to the usual suspects) so I have a bit more opportunity now. The plan is to go 3 times next week!
the culture of exposure May 22, 2008
Posted by deepali in misc, personal growth.add a comment
I had a conversation once with someone who commented that Americans are very candid. It’s almost as if we lack the filter that separates what should be public and what should be private. The conversation was in reference to personal relationships, but it was a very good point from a societal perspective.
We are, as a nation, culture, society, very open and transparent. We have a history of it, from our governance and political systems, to our corporate responsibilities, to our international negotiations. And we take pride in this openness.
It’s not a surprise, then, that on social and cultural levels, we see the same degree of candidness. Americans love reality TV (though we aren’t the only ones), and we love the exposure of our celebrities. In fact, reality TV stars are the next generation of celebrity.
And we don’t just revel in others’ openness – we actively promote our own. We love to blog, we love facebook, we love putting our thoughts and ideas and opinions out there for the world to see. It’s not just about being well-known on tape, it’s about being famous online. Internet killed the video star.
In a recent New York Times Magazine article, Emily Gould talks about her own journey through public exposure 2.0, a sacrifice on the altar of oversharing. From her humble beginnings with her own blog (Emily Magazine), through her rise at Gawker, she makes insightful points about what it means to be be a celebrity, expose a celebrity, and expose herself.
While I am a fan of transparency, I do admit that I’m a little uneasy with how available we make our personal details. Madonna commented once that no one would ever be able to dig up dirty little secrets about you if you just told everyone everything. But information can be a powerful tool, and there is such a thing as saying too much.
But Madonna had a point. If you have no secrets, there is nothing with which you could be blackmailed. There is nothing you have to explain later, nothing you have to try and hide, nothing to be ashamed of. And if our cultural penchance for candidness and transparency continues to bleed into other aspects of society, then perhaps it is something to be actively pursued.
a case of conflicting principles May 21, 2008
Posted by deepali in corporate america, human rights, news.4 comments
I recently wrote a guest post on Mrs. Micah, discussing the situation in Burma and ways in which we can help. One of the major dilemmas we face in this disaster is the need to prevent more lives being lost vs the desire to continue opposing the government.
I’ll be honest – I think innocent lives trump politics any day. Regardless of who is running the country (and how), I think we have a responsibility as members of a global community to uphold international law and our own governing principles.
I understand the quandary: aid going to Burma is being rerouted through the government, who is likely taking a cut, and redistributing itself, likely in a very inefficient way. None of us wants to support such a regime.
But here’s the kicker – we already do. Emergency relief aid is actually a very small amount of money, relatively speaking. No military regime can prop itself up on it. What this government thrives on is a much larger stream of money, and one to which we all contribute.
Burma is a country of natural gas and oil resources, and the Chinese, Russians, and South Africans have heavy investments in the area. They continue to support the junta because it’s a win-win situation for them (and let’s be frank – none of the those three countries has the best governance or human rights record).
But we support the military regime too. Despite our economic embargo, some of our own companies invest in the region. And even more insidiously, the products we buy from places like China are produced with the energy and profit China receives from its investments in Burma.
In the end, it’s not aid money that will keep the junta in control – it’s our own purchasing power.
no more shame and injustice May 19, 2008
Posted by deepali in women.add a comment
Online social networking sites, like Facebook, and online video sites, like Youtube, have changed the way we interact. You are no longer confined to your immediate circle of peers at work, school, or in your community, but now you can connect to the entire world. This has had an interesting impact on how we relate to each other on a variety of levels.
Recently, I read an article about rape survivors going online to tell their stories. This isn’t exactly new – when blogging first took off, a number of people used their blogs as online journals. However, one thing is new – in blogdom, you can be relatively anonymous. On Facebook and Youtube, you put details of yourself out there for the whole world to see.
Rape is a horrible experience that many victims bear by themselves and in silence. Prosecutions for rape, particularly by someone familiar to the victim, are notoriously low. Most rape survivors are forced to continue interacting with their perpetrators. This is akin to forcing a POW to work alongside his captor.
But maybe the new generations who have embraced the internet community no longer want to be alone and silent. I optimistically think that young women these days refuse to allow shame and injustice to muzzle them. Sexual assault is no longer a hidden epidemic, it is something we can shed light on and root out.
I am not sure what changed. Maybe it was the shift in paradigm that Facebook and Youtube wrought. Maybe it was our revulsion to the recent use of rape as a tool of genocide. Maybe we are finally tired of the failure of our justice system.
I do not necessarily advocate going online and telling all. There is some danger in this, but at the same time, I think I can understand the need for rape survivors to do so. I hope, also, that these young women seek professional help, either through a counselor or a rape crisis center. And I also hope that the rest of us who are lucky to never experience this horror can offer our support and assistance.
guest post today May 16, 2008
Posted by deepali in Blogroll, human rights, news.add a comment
Today, I have a guest post over at Mrs. Micah. Head on over and take a look.
And for those visiting from Mrs. Micah – check out a few similar posts here, here, and here.
a few brief rants for the day May 15, 2008
Posted by deepali in misc.4 comments
So I am now 30.5 years old. That feels a little bit old.
I sold my car in March (and mailed my tags back to the DMV). Today, the DMV mailed me a fine for letting my insurance coverage lapse.
I have an exam tomorrow covering more information than I can possibly learn in a lifetime.
It’s supposed to rain, and I forgot my umbrella.
I spent $50 at the dry cleaners. If I could sew, I’d hem my own pants.
For more uplifting news, why don’t you check out my blogroll?
retirement savings redux May 14, 2008
Posted by deepali in budget, goals.3 comments
A while back, I asked – how much should you save for retirement? Since then, I’ve been thinking a bit more on the issue, mostly because my financial picture will be looking quite a bit different next year.
This year, I have some debt, but I also have a steady, well-paying job and cheap rent. I also have a mortgage, but the tenants cover the full cost. I live relatively frugally and channel most funds into debt repayment or savings.
Next year, I will have no debt, but I will also be on a fellowship (resulting in an almost 70% reduction in income) in another country. Ideally, I will still have tenants to cover the mortgage. But, I do not know what my rent and living costs picture will look like. Ostensibly, it will be cheaper. I have also toyed with the idea of staying at my current place of employment part-time to finish out my current project.
So, in anticipation of not being able to save much next year (including towards retirement), I’ve made some changes this year. My immediate retirement goals are:
1. Funding IRAs for 2008 and 2009. The current goal is to fully fund my IRA for both years by the end of this year. That will require $10,000 in savings. This is based on the expectation that next year I will not be able to save for my IRA.
2. Putting a little extra towards my 403b this year. In what is a gross violation of the rules of retirement, I actually do not save towards my 403b. I used to put in a percentage for my 401k at my old job, because they matched. At my current job, my employer automatically puts a percentage of my salary towards my 403b, so I have less incentive to save. But a few months ago, I changed that and starting contributing.
Between the two options, I have about 16% of my salary amount going towards retirement this year. This might be a little high, but it’s also taking into account what will not be going in next year. The two-year average is about 13%. And to complicate matters just a bit more, I plan on taking some time to travel in 2010, and will likely not take a salary for about half the year. This means, assuming I have my current salary (for simplicity) that year, I will only save about 5% of that yearly salary.
Generally speaking, you want to save about 10-15% of your salary for retirement every year. This assumes you’ve been saving since you were in your 20s or at the latest by age 30. If you’re starting later, you will want to put away more. I’ve been saving since I was in college, thanks to my financially savvy mom. It also assumes you will invest these funds for an approximate 6-8% return (before inflation). And it also assumes you plan to retire around 65 or later.
After I complete the fellowship and my travel experiences, I am planning on returning to the US and working for a few more years. I plan to max out my 403b (around $15000) and fully fund my IRA for those years, which puts me above the target savings level. I am doing this because there is a chance that I will consider going back to school for a PhD, and thus my income will drop again.
The important thing is to start early. If you are young, it doesn’t have to be a large amount, as long as it is something. I started young and am well on my way to a comfortable retirement (early, if I wanted such). And even as life circumstances change (as they will for me), adjustments in the plan need to be made as well.
in the home stretch…. May 12, 2008
Posted by deepali in carnival.2 comments
It’s the last week of class, and I’ve finals and papers to get through. So things will be a little sparse this week. In the meantime, enjoy this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance!
One that I highly recommend – eat local.
And a good explanation of good debt vs bad debt (because I don’t think all debt is bad).
seize the day, tomorrow is not yours May 9, 2008
Posted by deepali in budget, happiness.1 comment so far
We all know that good things come to those who wait. But fortune also favors the bold. When it comes to personal finances, which road do you choose? I don’t see why you can’t have it both ways.
I am of the mindset that while thinking about tomorrow is smart, one should not forget about today. In personal finance, this has two ramifications:
1. The power of compounding. You can always have more money, but you can’t go back in time. Saving even a small amount when you are young will always trump saving a bit more when you are older. Savings earn interest, and then interest earns interest. Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today.
2. Live life to the fullest. Money exists to provide you the opportunity to experience life. So make the most of this tool while you have it, and use it for its intended purpose. You can’t take it with you when you die.
Some might argue that the responsible path is to live as frugally as possible now, save as much as possible, and retire early. But retire to do what? Enjoy life? Why not start now? Take a financial risk here or there. Maybe even take on a little debt, if the opportunity of your lifetime shows up. Be unconventional occaisonally. It is better to regret the things you did, than the things you didn’t do.
Save for the future, yes. Emergencies and the like come upon us like surprises. And too, there are the dreams and possibilities that we would like to one day experience. And even better, start saving today. But don’t make saving for the future your one and only goal.
I, for one, have no desire to retire early. I want to keep working as long as I can. Why? Because I love what I do, the field I’m in, the people with whom I interact. I am enjoying life. I have taken on debt in the past, and I will be paying be paying it off in the future. There is something to be said for being responsible (ie, having a debt repayment plan), but being a little reckless at times (ie, taking a leave of absence from your job for 4 months to travel) is good for you as well. Work hard. But play hard too.
