OFFICE POLITICS

Some of us are good at office politics, some not. When I was a carreerist, before i became an entrepreneur/blogger, i often said that i refuse to play that game, that office politics were not for me. In truth,if there are more than two people in an office, there will be office politics, and you'd better figure out how to play.

The business of politics is simply the business of relationship and understanding the quid pro quo (something in exchange for something else) inherent to every relationship.

In 14 years of corporate experience i have been dismayed at the number of times strong participants have been tossed to the curb in favor of those who used not their job skills but their carefully honed political strengths to succeed.

I've made that observation myself .I recall complaining many years ago about the high conflict politics that seemed to run rampant at the major organization that employed an individual who was close to me at the time.

His response: "You don't like it because you 're not good at it. So you've made it out to be 'wrong'."

I would be sharing 7 steps on how to survive Office Politics.

#1 Give Time and Understand the psyche of your colleagues and Seniors-

It is important to understand the people you are working with,knowing what motivates them in and out of the organisation,their view of the organisation. You have to be careful, and tactful and above all be a good listener,develop their confidence in you. Becoming a confidante is the best possible thing in any set up, personal or professional.

#2 Be Nice and Cordial to all-

This is more true,as you don't know when and whom you might have to work with. So be nice to people. It will help in working and also in getting information, in knowing what's happening all around, the office politics etc. Being nice does not mean that you have to be the ever smiling or the flattering types.

#3 Device new ways of approaching issues-

Out of box thinking always helps most of all in dealing with human resources. Now in general if people are professional then they are expected to behave in a particular manner. In other words getting work done,without getting sidelined, by interfering in the office power games.

#4 Be genuine as much as possible-

Although i know its not easy to be genuine while listening to someone's tails of treachery/cunning ways or someone's cribbing session!(I mean you will be genuine but in another direction)Be humane and more accepting of other people...try and not judge people. So be naturally concerned and helpful without going overboard.

#5 To change the system is not possible and not needed/necessary-

Please understand and realize that systems are so because they are meant to be so... One person cannot change and should not aim to change the system...be true to yourself and your values and leave the organisation if you find the system and its practices a burden on yourself.

#6 Have a lower benchmark-

There is a limit to everything and then there is a situation point.So the moment the red light of your conscious starts glowing...give it up...there are other places to work. For if you continue cribbing and also working then the day is not far when the benchmark will cease to exist and you will join the bandwagon of people who have no self esteem and who just exist.

#7 Practice Patience and Learn Tact-

There is no alternative. The more patient you become the less is the stress and the happier your disposition. No one can teach how to be tactful but everyone needs to learn it to be successful and happy.

Like a writer once said "Don't avoid Office Politics,Play it."