Office Politics - How to Handle/Tackle

Office Politics:-

Office politics are a fact of life in every workplace where more than one person works, and some offices have particularly difficult political situations. However, with some attention to your behavior and that of your coworkers, it's possible to cope effectively with office politics.

7 Ways to Use Office Politics Positively:-

1.1. Analyze the Organization Chart

Office politics often circumvent the formal organizational structure. So, sit back and observe for a while, and then map the political power and influence  in your organization, rather than people's rank or job title.

To do this, ask yourself questions like, "Who are the real influencers?," "Who has authority but tends not to exercise it?," "Who is respected?," "Who champions or mentors others?," and "Who is the brains behind the business?"

2.2 Understand the Informal Network

Once you know where the power and influence lie, it's time to examine people's interactions and relationships to understand the informal or social networks.

Watch closely (but discreetly and respectfully) to find out who gets along with who, and who finds it more difficult to interact with others. Look for in-groups, out-groups or cliques. Notice whether connections are based on friendship, respect, romance, or something else.

Finally, try to decipher how influence flows between the parties, and whether there are any interpersonal conflicts, or examples of bullying.

3. Build Connections

Now that you know how existing relationships work, you can start to build your own social network.

Look beyond your immediate team, and cross the formal hierarchy in all directions – co-workers, managers and executives. Don't be afraid of politically powerful people. Instead, get to know them, and build high-quality connections  that avoid empty flattery.

Be friendly with everyone, but avoid aligning yourself too closely with one group or another. And, if you're considering a personal relationship at work , be certain to base it on consent, to avoid any suggestion of illegal or inappropriate influence, and to never break confidentiality.

4.4 Develop Your "People Skills"

As we've seen, politics are all about people, so strong Interpersonal Skills  will stand you in good stead when it comes to building and maintaining your network.

Reflect on your emotions, what prompts them, and how you handle them. If you can learn to self-regulate, you'll be able to think before you act. This kind of emotional intelligence helps you to pick up on other people's emotions, too, and to understand what kind of approach they like or dislike.

Learn to listen carefully , too. When you invest time in listening, you'll slow down, focus, and learn. And, people like people who listen to them!

5.5 Make the Most of Your Network

Through your relationships, you can build your personal brand  and raise your team's profile .

When you communicate your achievements to your connections, they might open up opportunities to "shine" for you, your team, and your boss. They can also act as a "bridge" between you and other colleagues.

Warning:

Exercise caution when you leverage your network in this way – you don't want to get a reputation as a "pest!" Always keep your organization's goals in mind, and don't "badmouth" others, or you'll make more enemies than friends. Instead, become known for using "positive political action."

6. Be Brave – but Not Naive

Your first instinct may be to keep your distance from people who practice "bad" politics. In fact, the opposite can be more effective. The expression, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," often applies to office politics.

So, get to know the gossips and manipulators better. Be courteous but guarded, as they may repeat what you say with a negative "spin." Try to understand their goals, so that you can avoid or counter the impact of their negative politicking. And be aware that some people behave badly because they feel insecure – this is a form of self-sabotage .

However, protect yourself as much as possible from anyone you suspect of Machiavellianism or another of the Dark Triad  of characteristics. Such people are very likely clever and dangerous.

7. Neutralize Negative Politics

You can help to make a workplace become more positive by not "fuelling the fire" and joining in negative politics.

For example, avoid passing on rumors  without taking time to carefully consider their source, credibility and impact. And don't rely on confidentiality. It's safer to assume that whatever you say will be repeated, so choose carefully what "secrets" you reveal.

Remain professional  at all times, and don't take sides, or get sucked into arguments or recriminations. When a conflict arises, remember that there doesn't have to be a winner and a loser. It's often possible to find a solution that satisfies everyone.

If you're voicing concerns or criticism  of your own, be confident and assertive but not aggressive. And make sure that you take an organizational perspective, and not simply a selfish one.

Office politics are a reality that we all have to face, and avoiding them altogether risks not having a say in what happens. It also allows people with less experience, skill or knowledge than you to influence decisions that affect you and your team.

Compiled and Edited by

CA. Gaurav Mishra