Surviving Office PoliticsSurviving Office Politics

What is Office Politics?What is Office Politics?

Communicating indirectly Using covert tactics to advance Controlling other people through

psychological manipulation Being cautious about telling the truth Hiding vulnerability Currying favor

"Poli" in Latin means "many" and "tics" means "blood-sucking creatures".

Organizational Politics involves intentional acts of influence to enhance or protect the self-interest of individuals or groups

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What Creates Office Politics?

Scarcity of resources A too competitive work environment Subjective performance standards Unclear job definitions Emotional insecurity

"A group of unicorns is called a blessing. A group of owls is called a parliament.” Sreeja

Piranha or Nirvana Highly political climate: Score of 90 plus is Piranha

Land.. Wear bullet proof vest Risky climate: Scores of more than 50 indicate some

problems Zero or negligible politics: Score of 10 or less is

Nirvana… Never leave

“Man is by nature a political animal.”- Aristotle

Political Climates in Corporate World

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Dealing with Office Politics

Politics is a necessary evil and often it’s just plain evil. Unfortunately, it’s also how things get done.”- Mr. Blaine Pardoe, Director, Technology-Education Services,

Ernst & Young LLP

It’s not the actual work that is driving you crazy; you like the work. Even the long hours are not the problem. It’s the emotional undercurrents, gossiping and backstabbing thickening the air that you find exhausting

Politics are real and unavoidable; Expect this in all situations. Politics are part of human reaction.

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Be known as a producer and not a politician.

“To strive, to seek, to find – NOT to yield” – Live up to it.

Do your work with dedicated interest and loyalty. Enjoy the tasks

Be punctual. Know the time management ways. Finish the tasks within the expected deadline

Do your best to observe the rules. There are many ways the same task can be done. Do it in the way relevant to your role

Improve your knowledge and professionalism. Continue asking for superior’s feedback and direction- Do not assume your boss knows all your accomplishments

Be the best no matter the size of the job. Always be your own competitor

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Think before you speak or act

Learn to separate Gossip from Discussion. When you discuss somebody, ask yourself if you’d say the same things in their presence. If you won’t, then it may be unladylike and gossipy.

Every message you send is being judged. Make sure you don’t bury the lead in your e-mails. Get to the point quickly and end with a call to action

Never discuss your salary with your colleagues. Remember what you earn is based on what you bargained for when you joined & based on your last salary at your previous job. If you’re the one who’s in a position to handle appraisals, you need to justify salaries and increments- but in a +ve way

Power of a positive “No” –The way we say and the reason are the keys. Remember, the no should be for your needs, not against the person

A sharp tongue sometimes cuts it’s own throat. Sreeja

Be Honest and Open

Honesty is still the best policy. People who never compromise on their standards and integrity always win in the end and rise naturally above politics and competition

If you have a problem or difference in opinion with someone, discuss the matter openly

Don’t accuse, Don’t make judgments. If you are at fault, understand that and say sorry, adding “ how good it was that we talked.”

Accept your imperfections. Don’t be defeated by criticism, learn from it. Take any criticism as constructive and let it make you think rather than defend yourself

Treat everyone with politeness even those who are rude to you, not because they are really nice, but because you are nice… Sreeja

Go beyond the job: Raise your profile

It is vital to keep yourself updated on happenings. Attend all meetings, learn about all your company’s projects & be in touch with as many people as you can

Join the professional organizations and become active in community programs. Many times, those in power positions are more likely to take notice if you are hosting a charity event than if you are back at the office with your nose to the grindstone

Engineer your environment by documenting processes, analyzing activities, writing specifications. Fix the attitude, become a real asset to your business. Always try to think outside the box

Find a mentor: someone who can guide and help you develop professionally. Look for someone with whom you share a common background, interests and chemistry- who is politically savvy

A diplomat is a person who thinks twice before he says nothing.” - Frederick Sawyer Sreeja

Be a professional

Attitude plays a vital role. Don’t be emotional in a situation. Never get into a shouting match

Don’t underestimate anybody. Try to always give your colleagues and subordinates a chance to get into the limelight

Never take sides. While it’s good to have close relationships at work, they should not interfere with your judgment of others

Take things light-heartedly. Don’t live in past. Don’t hold grudges or be vindictive. Never take a problem to the manager without having two or three solutions for the problem

Humor is the best antidote. Without being sarcastic, brush off gossip with a smile and without commenting on it

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”- Aesop

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Role of managers

Seniors must lead by example. Build a positive work environment, which calls for open communication and teamwork.

Focus on common interests rather than differences. Build enthusiasm by appealing to other’s emotionals, ideals or values.

Clear job definitions. See the work is balanced. Take an interest in their personal well-being. Show the appreciation for a job well done.

Always be there. Attend and respond to all mails and chats. Create a secure atmosphere by being a good listener.

Be a leader - Find lack of confidence and trust in employees and encourage them to share their concerns. Lift others up with you and forgive failures.

Encourage the team to maintain balance in their lives. Trust the team and help them in using the company’s policies for a perfect work-life balance.

A Boss says – “ Do it” , but a Leader says – “Let’s do it!”. Sreeja

Summary of Survival Strategies:• Know your goals & interests.• Focus on common ground, not differences.• Build, nurture personal relationships.• Be true to yourself.• Think before you speak.• Learn to say no to unnecessary topics.• Be different – not part of whining masses.• Talk big, outside the box.• Appear cool under pressure.• Display good corporate manners.• Learn new skills and sell them.• Be a team player

“The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.” - Adlai Stevenson Sreeja

And most important – Realize it’s ok if we don’t get And most important – Realize it’s ok if we don’t get along with a few! There comes the relevance of word along with a few! There comes the relevance of word ‘compatibility’. ‘compatibility’. There is no need to please everyone!There is no need to please everyone!

Self-Check

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Let’s take some time to see- How political you are!Questionnaire

http://money.cnn.com/quizzes/2006/fortune/office_politics/

"Better to light a candle than curse the darkness."Chinese Proverb

Bibliography

“Copy from one, it’s plagiarism; copy from two, it’s research."Wilson Mizner

What System Administrators Should Know, Part 2 of 6: Surviving Office Politics – By Leeland Artra

Swimming with the Sharks – Fisher Graduate School of International Business

Reader’s Digest Joy – 2008 edition

http://www.dalekurow.com

The Power of a Positive No – By William Ury http://money.cnn.com

All the quotable quotes came from my personal collection gathered from lots of sources.

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Thank YOU!

Sreeja