Humans are political or social animals and everywhere groups gather, a political environment emerges that evaluates who is in charge, which gets a vote on key decisions, and what work gets done. Someone or certain group holds critical decision-making power over you and your progression. Neglecting this reality of office politics is naive.
Top Six worthy Lessons on office Politics:
- You do not have to play dirty, but you’ve to play: The great way to cultivate power is to assist others acquire their objectives. Reciprocity—the belief that they owe you their support—is a strong force.
- Someone always needs what you’ve or disagrees with what you are doing: While your noble intent is indeed noble if you neglect the political dynamics in play, you are naïve.
- Strive to comprehend the political landscape. It pays to comprehend who has the power to assist you succeed. It also pays to cultivate positive relationships with those individuals.
- You’ve to give to get: Giving power—or helping others create power—is a powerful technique to grow your own power.
- Today’s team members are tomorrow’s allies: While it’s always a little sad to lose a valued worker to another function, the upside is that you now have a precious ally in another part of the agency. Great power brokers plant their allies all over the organization.
- Keep your friends close and your enemies closer: I prefer to engage with my adversaries to strive to comprehend their positions and aims, and to attempt to find common ground. While seeking common ground might not be possible, at least I develop an understanding of what makes them tick.
The Bottom-Line of Office Politics
Too many individuals shy away from the issues of office politics and power in the workplace. “I don’t want to play the games,” is a usual refrain I hear. I am not asking you to play dirty; however, I am encouraging you to take into account the realities of human interaction in groups and play. Fail to read the political signs in your organization and I guarantee you will get lost.