Every organization has politics. If no one were in charge or playing favorites, your co-workers would get along well, and nothing important would ever get done. But, your career success is controlled by other people, who may or may not have your best interests in mind.
Typically, people who work in office settings have no choice but to deal with the negative aspects of politics. Whether it is a workplace culture or one person in particular, sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we would rather avoid and sap our productivity. This post offers some great tips to help you turn politics into success when working in an office.
Build Your Knowledge Base
When it comes down to it, the most important things you can do are build a strong knowledge base and have confidence in yourself so that others will have confidence in you. This doesn’t mean that you should be arrogant; it simply means being confident in who you are and what skills and assets you bring. For others to recognize how valuable your contributions are, they need to see that confidence shining through in all of your interactions with them.
To effectively play the game of workplace politics, you’ll need a good understanding of how your company works. This will allow you to find allies and make intelligent decisions about who to trust, who to avoid, and how to move forward in your career. If you’re new on the job, or if you’ve been stuck in a dead-end position for a while, then you must learn your way around the office as quickly as possible.
What are the company goals?
Who is working on them?
Who is not?
Is there anything that can be done to improve upon current projects?
Do you have any ideas for changes that would help the company out?
Educate yourself. Take notes. Be observant. Ask questions if you don’t understand something. Watch out for people who always seem to know everything—they’re probably very good at office politics and could be a good source of information for you.
Shrink Your Ego
A big ego can be a great thing, and it can give you the confidence to tackle challenging tasks and pursue high-profile projects. But if your ego is in overdrive, it can get in the way of being a good leader. When your ego is so big that you struggle to take other people’s perspectives into account, that’s when you need to shrink it.
The best leaders can step outside of their perspectives and see things from an outsider’s point of view. Consider what others are experiencing, think about how your actions impact them and ask yourself whether your decisions will make sense to people who aren’t on the inside. If they won’t, come up with a better way to proceed. This might require some creativity and strategic thinking, but you’re more likely to earn the support of colleagues and stakeholders who could make or break your success if you can pull it off.
Be a Giver
Did you know that there are people who will go out of their way to help you if you let them? These people aren’t just your friends and family (although those are the best options when possible). They’re also the other people in the workplace. You may not realize it, but you already have an extensive network of professional contacts at work. If you’re willing to open up to these people, they can offer insight, support, or job opportunities. But to reach out and connect with these colleagues, you first need to be a giver.
The key to being a giver is simple: be nice! Treat everyone as you would like to be treated and make an effort to help others succeed. When someone asks for your advice or input, offer it freely and without hesitation—volunteer for assignments that allow you to build relationships with others. If someone else is struggling with a task or has too much on their plate, offer your assistance; this might mean picking up a few extra tasks, but the reward will be worth it. Not only does being a giver help others succeed, but it also helps everyone involved rise above petty issues, like office gossip or politics.
Make Friends With the Gatekeepers
Everyone knows who the gatekeepers are in their office — they’re the people who control access to information and resources, which means they can make or break your career. The best way to win over these influential individuals is by being helpful and approachable; ask them about their day or offer them coffee if they seem like they could use one. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they start looking forward to seeing you every day!
Turn Workplace Politics Into Success
Workplace politics can be tricky, and it doesn’t matter whether you work in an office, a studio, or from your dining room table. The only way you will survive in any work environment is by learning how to navigate the system and play to your strengths. Click here
