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Office Politics
Office politics is a slang term. Office politics relates to the internal dynamics in any business between co-workers as well as between subordinates and their managers. Managers form part of the work environment, and they usually play an important part of how a business operates. Unfortunately, managers who spend too much of their time 'playing' office politics usually have less time to pay attention to their roles and duties as leaders, managers, change agents, and even as visionaries.
Some people are more adept at office politics than others. The good news is that it is easy to improve these skills. Here are the basic rules:
- Office politics is not a game.
- The rules change constantly.
- The rules are open to interpretation.
- There is no half-time or rest period in office politics.
- The game is played constantly; and
- No one is permitted to be a spectator.
It is impossible to prepare a complete list of career limiting actions. Some of the more common mistakes you can make include:
- Badmouthing your boss. This breach of protocol finds its way back to your manager.
- Asking your manager's approval for too many decisions. Doing so makes you appear inexperienced, insecure and indecisive.
- Always avoiding risk and confrontations may feel safe, but if you have the courage to present new ideas, you may prosper while others are overlooked.
- Disagreeing with your manager in public.
- Failing to admit when you are wrong. Admitting mistakes demonstrates maturity, and indicates both the ability and a willingness to learn from them.
- Failing to recognize that hard work alone is unlikely to get you noticed by senior management.
- Failing to toot your own horn for fear of being seen as arrogant, narcissistic or self-serving.
- Ignoring the importance of keeping your office or workstation neat. A neat office makes you appear organized and in control.
- Keeping negativity to a minimum.
- Over committing and/or under-performing.
- Failing to lead by example.
© 2010 by Michael C. Dennis. All Rights Reserved.