Most organizations have some degree of office politics. In fact, some offices resemble an episode of Survivor where you need to determine who you’ll trust, who you won’t, and who you’ll form alliances with. As Aristotle said, “Man is by nature a political animal.”
Politicking in an organization involves gaining power and influence over others to further one’s own interests, often at the expense of other people. Employees engage in politics to compete for recognition, promotions, pay raises, and/or to ensure that their jobs are secure.
Here are some “politicians” that you might come across in the workplace.
- The Gossiper
Loves to talk about others, which can cause hurt feelings and damage relationships.
- The Bully
Exhibits harmful, targeted behavior towards others.
- The Climber
Uses the people around them to gain status and power.
- The Brown Noser
Sucks up to the boss and other leaders for purposes of career advancement.
- The Grumbler
Constantly whines and complains about things without bringing solutions to the table.
- The Backstabber
Steals recognition or praise for another person’s work, passing it off as their own. Also won’t hesitate to throw others under the bus to make themselves look good.
- The Saboteur
Sabotages the work of others and/or withholds information for personal gain.
Workplace politics can be difficult to navigate. Here are seven suggested strategies that can help!
- Realize that you can make a difference
Show courtesy, respect, politeness, and office etiquette. Demonstrate empathy, respect, and kindness, which may encourage others to reciprocate.
- Build positive work relationships.
Develop strong positive relationships with other team members. This will provide a support network when you run into challenging situations.
- Speak up for yourself and others.
Be brave and know when to speak up for yourself and others. Have difficult conversations and address situations when needed, focusing on the behavior and not the person.
- Know and stick to your values.
Define your values (what you personally believe is right) and stick to them. If politics in your organization results in the need to compromise your values, it is probably time to consider a career change.
- Take the high road
When coworkers try to make you look bad or undermine you, it’s tempting to do the same. Don’t succumb to this temptation and lower yourself to their level.
- Take a look at yourself
Examine yourself first before you judge or give a critique of another individual. Think about your behavior and how it might be contributing to politics in your organization and make adjustments as needed.
- Help in resolving conflict
Assist in resolving conflicts where you can. But be sure not to triangulate and make things worse.
Office politics are an inescapable part of any work environment. It is possible to navigate them using some of the strategies above. If you act as a role model, your behavior can motivate others to change and make a positive difference in your workplace.
