Dealing With Office Politics

When diverse people with different opinions are thrown into one room for a prolonged period of time and made to work for the same goal, some form of friction is bound to occur. In the rat race to get ahead, employees tend to use various strategies to gain an advantage, personally or for a cause they support. Office politics or workplace politics refers to the human interactions and behavior involving power and authority.

In it’s simplest form, office politics refers to the differences between people at work, including the differences in opinions, conflicts of interests often manifested as office politics. However, most people prefer avoiding office politics rather than participating. That being said, knowing how to deal with office politics and developing political competence is no longer a choice but a necessity. Learning how to deal with office politics is a great advantage. Such employees tend to get more done, are recognized for their competence and are able to manage interpersonal relationships better.

Workplace politics are inevitable. In any organization following a hierarchical structure, some people have more power than others. Most people care passionately about decisions at work, promotions and recognition, thereby encouraging political behavior as they seek to get their way. To effectively work in any company, it is necessary to understand the kind of politics being played and being in the know how of things even if you do not want to actively participate in it. Accept the reality of it and observe how people tend to behave in different situations. Use this information to communicate with your superiors and heads to make sure your opinions are being heard and your ideas are being implemented.

Informal networks and grapevines tend to overpower the formal organization chart. Understand how the informal network works to understand where and with whom the power and influence lie in the company. Be a part of a bigger group. Isolation will only make you an easy target. Instead, form relationships with every co worker and be a part of the cliques. Build your own social network accordingly and make the most of your network. As you build your relationships, use any information you can to steer clear of all negative politics and to positively promote yourself, your work and your team.

It is a natural tendency to distance ourselves from negative people and power hungry employees. Nevertheless, remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Every firm will have those people who use power and influence for selfish reasons and not for the common good. Identify such people, their behavior and be courteous to them. Govern your behavior around such people and be careful of what you say to them.

It is not possible to completely avoid office politics but it is possible to have minimal involvement. Avoid getting sucked into arguments and rise above interpersonal conflicts to maintain a good relationship with everyone. Do not pass on gossip or rumors and most importantly maintain your integrity at all times. Be confident and finish your work to the best of your abilities. The Greek philosopher Plato once said, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Be aware of what is going on around you and make sure the others do not affect you or your work. Office politics are part and parcel of the job. How you deal with it, however, may change the game.