Office Politics for Geeks

If only we could compete on brains alone.

But as any grown up will tell you, the work world is not (exclusively) a meritocracy. So what do to if you're in technology, work really hard, are super smart yet see people around you rise while you seem to be sitting still?

Here are a few tips to manage the playing field that anyone would benefit from:

Use your powers of observation. Who seems to be approached all the time? Not to get work done, but to partner with, have lunch with, included in important meetings? What do they do differently than you? More important, what could you do that they do?

Up your communication skills. The American workplace favors extroverts. Might not be fair, but it's true. Learn to ask questions of humble inquiry. Master that art of active listening. Make eye contact. Smile. Engage in conversation as if you're passing a beach ball back and forth.

Find a social mentor. Not someone who will help you with technical or functional skill sets. Instead, you want someone higher up the food chain in your area who understands both you and the unwritten rules of the road. You're looking for the person who can recommend the small steps that make large shifts in how you're perceived.

Embrace discomfort. Face it, you may not like doing this. But don't for a minute think that embracing the reality of office politics means "kissing up" or losing your integrity. It's about how to compete for, and win, limited resources. And how to have your potential recognized by those who can grow it and reward it.

What's your idea? Would love to see comments and questions from political geeks out there - and promise to respond to each and every one.