Politics At Work, Where Does It Belong?
Jessica Glazer
Top Canadian Recruiter, Placing 100k, 200k 300k, 400k+ Jobs in Canada but based in Montreal. Recruitment Director/ Mentor/ Coach And Above All Truth Teller And Top 1% on LinkedIn at MindHR Inc Placement Agency
The United States presidential election of 2016, is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, so there is no question the office will be stirring with political views for almost a year. So where do these talks belong, and what happens when you have to work together with opposing views?
Conversations are great. They help managers and CEO's understand negotiation and argument tactics of their employees. They also, open minds and reveal information one may not have known in the past; however when there are extremes on both sides, and you know that one side will not budge, we have to imagine: what is the point in having these "conversations" at work? Not only do they build up frustration in the office, but also hostility and anger where there are no winners.
The office is supposed to be a place where people feel comfortable and safe however speech isn't free if you are going to lose your job over it, and talking politics at work disrupts the peace. Believe it or not, some offices have written policies regarding the idea of expressing political views during office hours. If you can talk politics without getting emotionally charged then that is a conversation, but if you have people close to you living in one area or another where the politics are personal it's best to leave it out of the office and off of LinkedIN. Remember what Calvin Coolidge once said: "No man ever listened himself out of a job." So at work, when projects need to be completed and work needs to be accomplished, it's better to not risk your career...unless you don't care about what you have lose.
There are usually three sides to every story, but when it comes to politics there are many many more, so be careful before you decide to speak, as you are going to be judged by your thoughts, and you may or may not know or like what the other person is going to have to say in return.
Talk or not talk about politics is not the matter. Men have their emotions and the better they are able to express them the safer we will be. So what's the matter? My answers will be in 3 points: 1) In micro economy, enterprises are defined as open systems: there are constantly in interaction with the society. 2) Politics, religions etc should be used as sea waves by the leaders. They have to convert the energies of passions (politics, religions etc), which are huge, into the interest of the company 3) When employees waste time talking about these themes and they get into troubles with their colleagues because of their opinions, this fact reveals severe problems of management. Therefore only leaders are what matter. What are their choices? Allow politics, religion opinions in the company= possibilities of anger, hostility between employees; such behaviors are already under control (refer to each company's policies). Advantages for the company: wonderful and positive energy available 24/7 ready for the company and above all for free. Not allow politics, religion opinions in the company= castration. Advantage for the company: discipline.
Business Development Agent at Bogar Pilkington Group
10 年Politics the activities associated with the governance of a country OR OTHER AREA, especially the debate OR conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. I post the definition because like with many words there's a knee jerk reaction/assumption. In truth, whether you're trying to climb the corporate ladder or grow your company, politics is par for the course. With that being said: 1. How can anyone grow or widen their perspective/perception in a "sterile" environment? You can't and then you live in a world of absolute assumptions. 2. Political views, practices, and the respect (or lack) thereof is critical in development via diversification because the "taboo" factor erodes. 3. Political truth isn't the same as political correctness in practice nor in theory. I like to quote a talk show host: "Let me tell you where I sit before I tell you where I stand". There's a higher level of respect and degree of being open-minded, in forthrightness. The strength in true diversity is first acknowledging & recognizing the differences in the first place. We're not biological robots, we are human beings. "The League of Extraordinary Gentleman" comes to mind. :)