Lies. Sabotage. Deceit. Manipulation. Backstabbing. Sound like a bad soap opera? Chances are it's a workplace. Yours.
Unfortunately, any organization with at least two employees is susceptible to office politics. Healthy competition can be a positive way to keep an organization innovative. However, most workplaces are prone to competition that results in power plays, employee manipulation, and promotional or hiring decisions that are not made solely on employee merit.
When office politics is the game, every employee plays, whether they choose to or not. But, the game can be played without compromising your personal ethics. Here are some tips for playing with grace.
Recognize Contributions and Support Coworkers
Share credit for joint projects and when others provided direction or resources. Employees typically find it harder to sabotage someone who is giving them due credit in public. Likewise, support others by providing information or assistance without asking for recognition. Stay late to help a coworker meet a deadline, provide information or direction on a project, or help a coworker prepare for a meeting by providing inside information. Helping coworkers look good from behind the scenes can go a long way in building positive relationships.
Seek Upper-level Mentors
Ask upper-level managers for counsel and guidance on a regular basis. Get to know them, seek out and use their advice, and give them credit in public for their ideas or support. Managing higher level relationships can give you needed support in situations where a decision will be made by these same individuals.
Be Truthful and Objective
In most situations, speaking the truth carefully and honestly will serve you well. Ensure points you make are supported with examples. If a coworker questions you in front of others, stick to your guns. Respectfully reiterate your argument or point and do not back down. Ask the person, “Would you mind to give some examples from your perspective?” or “If there is another side that I haven’t considered, would you mind to explain it?”
Identify Barriers and Key Players
Seek information by meeting with coworkers and upper management to discuss an assigned task. Ask questions like, “What barriers do you see to the successful completion of this project?”or “Are you aware of anyone who has worked on a project like this recently?” Identify the key players who can be supportive of your task or work product. Send them advance copies of the final report for feedback or ask for guidance on a specific problem related to the project. If a key player has a tendency to question your work or be hard on your projects, then engage them early in assisting with the research or in providing solutions or options. Use their input in some way and be sure to share how much their input is valued.
Control Your Options
Accept that you can leave a position or organization if your ethics will not allow you to continue to work in the environment. Keep your resume current, cultivate relationships with others in your industry, and review job advertisements on a regular basis. If office politics interfere with your work product or increase stress to unhealthy levels, plan an exit strategy that will preserve your financial stability and career goals.
Politics in the office is a natural and healthy part of the job. With planning, every employee can work within the political culture and continue to perform well without compromising his or her personal code of ethics.
