Paradigm Shifted

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.