The key is not to ignore it but to be aware of it – and the office troublemakers.
How do you navigate office politics without becoming an outsider?
To put it quite simply; “Nobody exists in an atmosphere where everybody agree.” This according to Professor Allan Cohen, author of Influence Without Power.
The fact of the matter is that if you work in an office with more than three co-workers, chances are that you’ve had a brush with office politics. According to the career guidance company, Professor Resume, office politics are inevitable because people will “attempt to use power to gain favour and influence with management and superiors”.
The trouble is that the disagreements and dissent that come from workplace politics can affect the whole company and decrease productivity and morale.
It is dangerous to completely ignore office politics because there might come a day when you are the victim of an unfair promotion or undermining rumour. The key, therefore, is actually not to ignore it but to be aware of it - and troublemakers – without distancing yourself and become the office outsider.
Handling gossips
Granted, this is easier said than done, especially if you are newly appointed and have yet to make friends.
It is often the case that because the gossip is always looking for an audience, they are also the first to extend the hand of friendship.
The trouble is that gossip have a away of poisoning working relations between co-workers. And even if you are only seen listening to the gossip-monger, , your silence might be construed as approval.
Instead, the key is to make it clear that you are not interested in discussing your colleagues, their performance or personal lives.
If your co-worker starts to discuss any of these topics or complain about a superior, ask them if they have taken the matter up with person involved and inform them that you have no wish to talk about this colleague behind his or her back.
Beware of cliques
Employees gravitate towards colleagues who share their interests and , most importantly their opinions.
Be wary of being pulled into a cliques – before you know it, you might be part of group gossips, malcontents or troublemakers.
Instead, treat everyone you meet with respect and try to align yourself with the moderate groups.
Remain neutral
If a workplace disagreement or argument develops and you are in some way involved, do your best to gather both sides of the story and not to make premature judgments.
Set boundaries
Keep your personal life that – personal. As harsh as this may seem, confiding in colleagues (unless they are close and trusted friends) about your personal problems may come back to haunt you as the information may be used against you.
Keep communication honest
If you have a problem with a co-worker, discuss it with them as soon as possible.
Treat everyone you encounter with the same degree of respect no matter what their reputation in the workplace might be. Remember that many can be as wrong as one , so do not ostracize a certain co-worker just because many of your colleagues do.
No matter what a person may or may not have done, everybody deserves to be treated with respect.
Focus on the job at hand
Safeguard your reputation by striving for excellence in your work. It is also true that your colleagues will mind less the fact that you are not that interested in office politics if they see that you are intent on shouldering your weight.
On the other hand , try to be a team player. Don’t act superior to your co-workers.
Be open for new ideas and be ready to bring your part and share the credit with the people you work with . Few actions invites as much back-bitting and hostility as the employee who ruthlessly climbs his ambitious way to the top ignoring the co-workers who work by his or her side.
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