Winning Office Politics

One of the most ugly aspects of moving up the career ladder is being astute with the use of "office politics". What you say, when you say it and to whom could either open doors or close them forever. After 40 years in business, I have come to learn what works and what doesn't and most important how not to become a victom of this often vicious use of accepted behavoir in the office.

Your first rule when you find yourself invovled in this type of situation in the office is-don't panic!, instead become a good listener and keep your eyes open. With a little bit of practice you will be able to spot just who seems to be the source of the chatter, rumors and positioning in the office. At first, this should be your supreme mission. Know who is the source. Knowledge is power but keep it to yourself until the time is ripe and the advantage is yours.

Initialy, you will need to access your position in the game and knowing who your source is can be of tremendous value to you. If the source is approachable for you great, if not, lay back and play dumb for now. Nothing is as disarming as faking ignorance. How many times has this helped you in the past! Plenty. This is a strategy worth big dividends if played correctly.

Befrending the source can be a genuine hazard to your career especially if the source is not a popular person in the office. But in either case there are a number of ways to engage a source so that it is benifical to you. After all your intent is to win in office politics isn't it?

Later, I'd like to talk about a number of tactics that I have used to literally climb out of a number of poor paying jobs, to one in my industry that I am considered to be well payed, valued and most important to me, one that I have lots of lesure time ( and yes, can even write this on the job ) and one I never work hard at.

OK, lets start talking.....

First 100 Days On The Job

There you are new and fresh on the job. Everything has been explained to you by your HR department. You know what you need to do and you go about doing it. Of course you are nervous, who wouldn't be. New job, new faces and you have to prove yourself all over again for the fifth or sixth time ( and you know what that is all about ).You have been introduced to everyone around the office. They seem friendly and concerned. Some shake your hand, some just smile. You settle in. Your first days go quietly. No problem. You think, finally, this job is going to be a pieace of cake. Forget it! Never make that assumption."Every new person in the office is considered a threat to every one else's job".This is the first unwritten law of the office and is worth repeating and remebering. "Every new person in the office is considered a threat to ever one else's job". Instinstively, you always knew this to be true. The fact is no one wants to deal with this reality, you will because you remember that "knowledge is power" and that nothing is going to deter you from being a winner in office politics.

Winning Office Poltics Tactic #1

The first thing to realize is that the very first tactic is probably going to be used on you! Think about it. Your new, your fresh and to everyone else you don't know what going on ( or that is to say -you don't know the ropes!). The ropes must be taught to you. You must come to know your boundries. Be ready. Have a clear head because here is the rib. Most often than not, the first person who will attempt to take you aside will the the person who is your source. That's right-the source! The contact may come at the water cooler, the lunch room or even at your own desk. My advise is to be a good listener. Not a talker-only a listener. Your source will volunteer ( to a good listener that is ) what they want your perception of "their" office to be. "Mary is having an affair with John over there!...the boss is gay!.....I'm your best friend here!....need time off, come to me, I have an in with the boss!. And so it goes. Many of the things you will be told will have no basis in reality. YOU ARE BEING TESTED! You are being tested for trustworthyness and usefulness by the source. The best response to this tactic this is to be seen as thankful and greatful in order to solidify your own position as a harmless bystander in the office. Do nothing to question the source's information. Be seen as interested in them. Yes, it is manipulation but you are in controll manipulating the manipulator.

Restatement Of This Blog

Let's restate our purpose ( as this may become a very long article ) To win in office politics is a game. A very serious game. It is a game of manipulation apon manipulation. By the skillful use of Winning Office Politcs Tactics ( and the strategy implied within ) you will become a office survivor, a valued employee and a leader ( although not in the traditional sense.) Protecting and advancing your earning ability is a life long endevor and there are some very important unwritten rules that will help you on your way.I have been there I have done it and I have succeeded!

The Source: Friend or Foe!

One of the most difficult decisions you will have to make is wheather you should continue being fead by the source or take the game away from them. If the source is friendly, you may decide to continue with their feeds for a time. Just as easy however, would be to take the game away from the source to position yourself more favorably in the office. If the source is unfriendly you may need to assemble a strong strategy to subplant them immediately.

Lets say that the source is totaly unfriendly and you need a tactic to force them into the slink into the background or even worst to quit or be fired. Here is what I have used in the past.

Winning Office Politcs Tactic #2

If