21 Ways of Managing Workplace Politics »
Posted By JaneMay 1 year, 6 months ago in Business & FinanceMany people in corporate America have a hard time managing workplace politics. Challenges that people have begin with knowing the corporate culture. It is this culture that tells you what the company believes in, strives for, and actually practices. Some of you might hate the company you work for, or you are unclear of the companies' culture.
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jumpmaster1 year, 6 months ago
Workplace politics can be very difficult to manage. When I was not progressing in the workplace, I chalked it up to "politics". Then after much self-evaluation, I fessed up that a good portion of my status was because I had a big mouth.
With politics, you have to be like a tree in the wind. You have to be flexible and use your ears more than your mouth. Stay away from gossip and get along with people.
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JaneMay1 year, 6 months ago
Politics can be a very tricky thing. I worked in the College of Business at a big Reseach institution in CA and you can bet the hierarchical structure there was full of political allies. It was important to know who the players were and how the culture of the organization manifested itself.
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jumpmaster1 year, 6 months ago
Good point. You have to know how the machine works in order to deal with it.
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Dascoop1 year, 6 months ago
Very good, JaneMay, outstanding!
Honesty, integrity,leadership, self-awareness, respect for others, commitment, dependable,able to communicate desires, persistence,and willing to work,are some good qualities but the list goes on.
1. Big one, Think big and think positive!
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icono11 year, 6 months ago
This is true; however some companies are so paranoid that they often mistrust even the most politically benign people and therefore poss opportunities to improve at least the working environment. Not to mention the 'networking' connections that will never get 'looked into'.
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workingal1 year, 6 months ago
I stay clear of the politics....i came to work and say good morning upon entering....ask if anyone needs anything while I am out to lunch....and say good night... I never use the company phone for my personal matters(keeps gossip down) and I only ingage in conversations when invited, and its only about work....other than that....I stay very quiet....I stay in my work area...and never mengle with anyone outside the work place..
I have been here for 8 years, gotten a divorce while being employed and they didnt find out until months laster...one of the bosses read it in the court documents....my boss asked me if I had gotten a divorce earlier in the year and I said yes....it was never discussed afterward....I was here for 3 years before anyone knew I had children....
I keep to myself....
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JaneMay1 year, 6 months ago
Also money should be included in your list. I think it's important to be aware of the companies politics, not necessarily talk about it in the office.
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Joeytos1 year, 6 months ago
My company is pretty friendly and free of political ties. But I can see how these would br helpful in working with others not just in my own company.
Thanks!
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icono11 year, 6 months ago
I am also an independent contractor and for the most part the article is dead on. One of the most difficult things to stay away from is the office gossip that seems to always turn to the 'trashing' of someone to gain either information or just a damaging opinion that can be used against you or the person in question to further the gossip's career ambitions( This is a case were the truth is relative to what one,wants to accomplish). Also, what the culture appears to be may not be what the culture actually is. This is largely true in the government,religious and education sectors that I have delt with over the years. They have a tendency to talk a great party line ie. we are here to serve the people of blah the lord loves all sinners and we are here for the 'kids' but underneath it all they are very Machavalin in intent.
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ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 6 months ago
Great Article. I'd like to add a couple more rules for the Corporate highway:
.Never Party at the company party! More careers are killed here than you can imagine. 2 drinks or no drinks.
.Never date a co-worker. The office is like a small town, everyone knows everyones business..and that ain't good for business.
Hopefully some of the newbies will find wisdom in what was shared to me a few years back.
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ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 6 months ago
Ha!! Great Post WC. If you are not running your own business, you need to be!
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Bemuzed1 year, 6 months ago
I've always believed that you should be above office politics. Be aware of it because it could hurt you in the end if you don't protect yourself - sometimes you can't get away from it if you are in some sort of political tug-of-war between departments. I found this book (Working with You Is Killing Me) to be very helpful: well these two coaches. I first found them on a site called AOL Coaches ... check it out ... http://coaches.aol.com/business-and-career/crowley ... let me know if you found it helpful.
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MisterYar1 year, 6 months ago
I almost might have the opposite "problem." Being aware of the company politics have made me almost a mime. I work in a factory, and rarely talk to people on the floor because I'm affraid some smalltalk I engage in might come back to haunt me.
I do QC, few people in the company like our department, maybe its good that I have this "reserved-ness"
When I write emails to other people in the company, I rewrite my emails several times because I'm affraid to be taken the wrong way.
Say I send an email "They're setting up a new line. Should I meet with so and so to discuss X?" He'll answer with the whole body of the email "NO" And I'm left wondering what I did wrong.
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bonaroo1 year, 6 months ago
JaneMay,
Thanks
I have never worked in a corporate environment but I have experienced it extensively through my wifes career in the medical manufacturing sector. Many of the items on this list can and should be applied to life in general as they provide a good foundation for personal integrity.
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WCFIELDS1 year, 6 months ago
Remember those leather topped walnut desks the Bosses used to have? Beautiful pieces of furniture. Too bad they had to be replaced with the Non-stain surface desks popular today. I never could figure how those Big Ol' Stains kept getting on the Bosses desk. Now days they can just take a superabsorbent paper towel and wipe it down.
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