HOW TO STEER OFFICE POLITICS

??HOW TO OVERCOME OFFICE POLITICS

Employees indulge in politics to win appreciation from their superiors and tarnish the reputation of their fellow workers. Individuals who do not believe in working hard depend on nasty politics at the workplace simply to save their own job. The very worst part of office politics, that I have experienced is something brutally fatal, after having a long successful journey of my career into ITES in India, it is quite obvious that the ITES industry serves 24/7, most of our reporting’s to our office would be night shifts based on American timing i.e. EST, CST, and MST & PST. Our time slot will be one among the 4 different time zones of the United States. Having successfully completed 9 yrs into night shifts, certain stage of my life led?it happen for me to relocated to my home town, there’s when I had to decide another option towards my career, Being a HR I profound in the position of Placement officer in the educational institutions, It went on well there has been a difference in terms of opinion between me and other staff members, because of the language proficiency, moreover I don’t teach but I love to get my students to get inspired rather following the same old static, since that perturbs a huge controversies among other staff’s who handles classes like me, Since our performance highly depends upon the feedback of the students, To me it started ramping up big-time, due to this, they started limiting the class allotments for me, days went on, at times some sessions of mine having been engaged by other staff members, They willfully do lot of defamation by those Pontificating staff members who portray themselves as educated but behave like illiterates at times even below that. As a matter of fact, the arrow pointed to me, turns inadvertently back to them, They would always be harder, When that happened, I would become twice as skillful. Problems would not live above me anymore. I would live about them. Then, something interesting happened. I started looking at problems differently. Instead of these massive walls that kept me from going after my dreams. I started seeing them as an opportunity to get to a higher level. The term “office politics” makes many people cringe because it often carries with it a negative connotation. And while it may bring up unpleasant work memories for you, office politics is really just about learning how to manage differences at work. They are the strategies people use to gain advantage or support in the workplace. According to the author office politics "is the use of one's individual or assigned power within an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one's legitimate authority." People engage in workplace politics to reap financial, emotional, and even physical rewards. Those who engage the most vigorously often have significant unmet needs, a specific agenda, a desire for power, and the ability to forgo ethics and integrity in order to get what they want.

We all would like to imagine that we can move forward in our careers based on our own merit alone. But the reality is, those who rise quickly up the corporate ladder are usually the people who know how to play the office politics game. By turning a blind eye to all office politics, you needlessly suffer and miss out on legitimate opportunities to further your own career. Many people fear office politics and see them as something they must avoid but the truth is that in order to succeed you must learn how to navigate office politics. Why are office politics inevitable and how can you begin to make them work to your benefit? This blog post will attempt to answer those questions for you. Understanding the human ritual of politicking is essential for everyone in the business. Changing jobs frequently is no solution to politics. One must try to avoid politics for a healthy and positive ambiance at the workplace.

The indispensable quality of a leader is Humanity.

Zoom and video conferencing make it hard to read your audience. Follow up after a meeting, ask more questions and give the benefit of the doubt. Everyone is going through their own set of challenges, so exert your kindness muscle. If you’ve seen some unusual office politics, take the high road. You want to be remembered as someone who leads with integrity.

Be yourself, stay authentic.

Your biggest asset will always be your authenticity. Mean what you say, follow up on your commitments, and do not be the kind of person who always gauges public opinion before acting. Authenticity is a must in the office. It will put you in the “trusted” column with your colleagues.

Active listening will let you be Assertive.

Navigating office politics requires the ability to actively listen. With video chat and email being the main vehicles for interaction among remote workers, accurately reading someone else’s tone, let alone motives, can be nearly impossible. Most situations arise from making the wrong assumptions. Simply “playing back” what you heard with the intent to understand can help you steer clear of potential issues.

Use Open-Ended Questions.

People will always talk, and some will try to solicit your opinion in the process. When a colleague starts talking office politics with you, ask them, “Have you shared your concerns with that individual directly? Do you think your goal would be achieved quicker if you went directly to the source?” It is best to stay neutral in the workplace and to be known for your shine!

Understand the Significant facts

People will always talk, and some will try to solicit your opinion in the process. When a colleague starts talking office politics with you, ask them, “Have you shared your concerns with that individual directly? Do you think your goal would be achieved quicker if you went directly to the source?” It is best to stay neutral in the workplace and to be known for your shine!

Stay Positive; Let the office assistance understand you care for them?

People stay the same, whether it’s in the office or in a virtual world. My advice in dealing with office politics is to take the high road. Assume positive intent, and have conversations to understand what’s going on so you have good working relationships. If you assume positive intent and try to understand, you will come to quick resolutions and have a win-win situation

Stay Passionate so that others get delighted to work

Political landscapes will maintain their hold unless one begins to see things differently. Self-centered sight must yield to selflessness, leading with love, the urge to serve, and the urge to see the best in everyone. If one person does this, others around will wonder why they feel different. If many begin to do it, then a threshold is crossed and the political landscape will crumble.

?Create a buddy system for new hires.

A strategy I am trusting will be effective is the creation of a buddy system. We want to pair new hires with our most talented and dedicated staff to help a new person navigate the maze of our complex environment. This will include discussing office politics, both real and perceived. It is important to address what is real and provide strategies around handling what is perceived.

Try to stay on good terms with everyone.

Nothing can ruin employee engagement like office politics. The only way to win is not to play. Try to stay on good terms with everyone. Stay positive and avoid “Negative Nelly” and “Complainer Carl.” Connect with co-workers, yes, but stay focused on collaboration and solutions. Even if you have to work the hallway to move an idea forward, stay above board and in good standing with your team.

Stay neutral in negative situations.

Nowadays, navigating office politics has become a vital skill for any successful professional. It feels like it rears its ugly head in our day-to-day, even within remote settings. One successful strategy for navigating office politics is to always remain neutral in negative situations. By doing so, you may help avoid additional conflict or de-escalate situations by not adding fuel to the proverbial fire.

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Focus on inclusion and collaboration.

Often it can be as simple as inclusion and collaboration. A willingness to share your ideas, bounce ideas off others, and ask for others’ opinions tend to lead to less adverse politics. Including key people from key departments in the work you are doing often holds a lot of weight and value as you navigate company politics.

Connect without an agenda.

Office politics abound when motives and intentions become suspect. Making a deliberate effort to connect with no agenda—by chat, email, phone, or virtual meeting— shows a genuine desire to support others in the organization. Something as simple as a chat message or email saying, “Hello! I hope you’re well!” reminds your co-workers that your intentions toward them are positive and supportive.

Following are the ways to reduce politics at the workplace:

1. Job Satisfaction

• Job mismatch leads to politics at the workplace. Responsibilities must be delegated as per the interests, specialization, and educational qualifications of the employees.
• The task must not be imposed on anyone.
• Individuals must enjoy their work for them to stay loyal to the organization. Employees indulge in politics when they have ample free time and nothing innovative to do.
• Employees must be clear with their KRA’s and duties. They should know what they are supposed to do in the organization.

1. Transparency

• Transparency must be maintained at all levels to reduce politics.
• Employees must be aware of the goals and objectives of the organization and strive hard to achieve the same.
• Company policies should be the same for everyone.

1. Team Work

• Promote teamwork at the workplace to strengthen the bond amongst the employees. Individuals should be made to work in teams so that they come closer and develop a liking for each other.
• Celebrate various festivals at the workplace.
• Once in a while take your employees out for informal get-togethers and picnics. Such initiatives go a long way in reducing misunderstandings amongst the employees.

1. Discussions

• Issues must be discussed on an open forum and everyone related to the matter must be allowed to participate in the same. Problems arise when matters are discussed in closed cabins and employees do not get a common picture.
• Employees should be able to express their views and grievances in front of their superiors.
• Hierarchies must be well defined to reduce politics.
• The subordinates must have easy access to the boss’s cabin at the time of queries.

1. Communication

• Effective communication reduces the chances of politics at the workplace.
• Employees should not play with words and pass on the information in its desired form.
• The information must not be manipulated at any cost.
• Individuals should prefer written modes of communication to avoid confusion.
• Communicate through emails and do keep your boss in the loop. This way the superiors are aware of what is happening around and no employee can cook up stories against anyone.

1. Maintain the decorum of the workplace

• Politics never benefits anyone in the long run. Employees must concentrate on their own work rather than interfering in their colleague’s work.
• Remember your organization pays you for your hard work and not for finding faults in others.
• Avoid backstabbing or making fun of others.
• Don’t spread unnecessary rumors about anyone at the workplace.

1. Partiality

• The management must not be partial to anyone. Don’t blindly support any of the employees.
• Don’t take action against anyone just because one of his team members has said something negative against him.
• Don’t believe anything unless and until there is proof.

1. A positive frame of mind

• Employees must enter the office with calm and a positive frame of mind.
• Don’t think of doing harm to others. Remember bad deeds will fall back on you as well.
• Don’t take things to heart. Avoid overreacting at the workplace.
• Being over-friendly with everyone also creates problems.
• Don’t let others know all your secrets.
• An individual should know where to draw the line. Don’t take undue favors from anyone at the workplace.
• Never ever use derogatory words against your boss in front of any of your fellow workers.

Employees indulge in politics to save their job and gain attention without working hard at the workplace. Individuals strive hard to win the appreciation of their superiors by tarnishing the image of their fellow workers.

It is the organization that suffers; if the employees are engaged in politics. Politics never benefits anyone in the long run, instead affects the performance of individuals.

Employees play a crucial role in avoiding politics at the workplace.

Let us go through some tips to avoid politics and promote a healthy environment at the workplace:

• Employees must enter the office with a positive state of mind.
• Leave your ego at the doorstep.
• Avoid being jealous at the workplace.
• Don’t unnecessarily find faults or criticize fellow workers.
• Avoid backbiting and making fun of others.
• Don’t try to spoil your colleague’s image in front of superiors or management.
• If someone has confided in you, never ever disclose his secrets in front of others.
• Don’t open anyone’s documents, files, and notepads.
• Do not check your fellow worker’s emails.
• One should not overhear anyone else’s conversation.
• It is essential to concentrate on own work, rather than interfering in another’s business.
• Employees do not play politics when they are engaged in productive work. The management must ensure that the employees are enjoying their work and do not get time to indulge in nasty politics.
• Never spread rumors about anyone at the workplace.
• Try your level best to stay out of controversies.
• Avoid playing blame games at the workplace. Learn to own your mistakes.
• An individual must pass on information in its desired form.
• Avoid data manipulation.
• Don’t believe things unless and until you receive a confirmation.
• Discuss things with individuals face to face and try to sort out issues on an open platform.
• Don’t try to overshadow the efforts of your fellow workers.
• One should not get influenced easily.
• Avoid taking sides at the workplace. Too much friendship leads to unnecessary personal favors at the workplace.
• Communicate through emails or written modes of communication. Mark a bcc to your superior to keep him in the loop as well.
• Promote open communication at the workplace.
• The team leader must interact with his subordinates in an open forum. Don’t discuss things with individuals separately.
• Delegate responsibilities as per the interest and educational qualifications of individuals. Employees play politics whenever there is a job mismatch.
• Transparency must be maintained at all levels to avoid dirty politics.
• Incentive plans and schemes should be discussed with the employees beforehand.
• Celebrate important festivals at the workplace to bring the employees closer to each other.
• Assign fixed lunch timings for employees. Let them discuss things amongst themselves apart from work at the lunch hour. Such activities strengthen the bond amongst the employees.
• Don’t always treat your fellow workers as mere colleagues. Even they can be your friends and help you during the hours of crisis.
• Don’t bring your personal rivalries to work. Keep your personal and professional life separate.
• Learn to trust your fellow workers.
• Never play with words.
• Avoid double standards at the workplace.
• Respect each other’s privacy.

CONCLUSION

The reason why many people cringe when they hear the term “office politics” is because it can imply that there is always a winner and a loser. But office politics doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing game and it works best when you think win-win. Instead of trying to “beat” someone else, look for ways to make everyone feel like they won.

Office politics may feel out of control at times and hard to manage but there is one thing you always have control over and that’s the role you play in them. Over time you will learn what works best in your company’s culture and what doesn’t. Model your behavior after others who are successful and don’t stoop to petty gossip or spreading rumors. Whether it’s positive or negative, office politics will continue to happen and people who refuse to participate will often find themselves powerless to affect real change. By taking yourself out of office politics you run the risk of not having a say in what is going on around you. Learn how to participate in a positive way without compromising your own values and beliefs in the process.