Are You Also Dealing With Office Politics?

Office politics is simply about the differences between people at work; differences in opinions, conflicts of interests are often manifested as office politics. It all goes down to human communications and relationships. Office politics are the strategies that people use and play to gain an advantage, personally or for a cause they support. The term often has a negative connotation, in that it refers to strategies people use to seek advantage at the expense of others.

But there is no need get stressed of office politics. Below are the tips which will help you to deal with it and keep thins win-win.

1. Keep Your Eyes on the Goal

The most common reactions to politics at work are either fight or flight. Keep the big picture in mind and learn to focus on the long-term results you want instead of short-term emotions. When you get caught up emotionally, you run the risk of making decisions you’ll regret down the road.  Maintaining emotional composure in the workplace is not only widely regarded as appropriate behavior, but is also expected in the professional setting. Keeping your eyes on the goal lets you develop and maintain a strategic approach to dealing with your workplace’s unique political atmosphere.

2. Don’t Get Personal

In office politics, you’ll lose your patience and get angry with people. It happens. There will be times when you get frustrated and feel the urge to give that person a piece of your mind and teach him a lesson. Don’t, people tend to remember moments when they were humiliated or insulted. Even if you win this argument and get to feel really good about it, for now, you’ll pay the price later when you need help from this person. What goes around comes around.

Special note – If you have already gone through such unexpected situations prepare yourself in advance and start working from now on multiple options to avoid hurdles in your desired outcomes for future.

3.Listen and Observe your Surrounding Carefully

When you spend more time listening, you are less likely to say something that will come back to bite you later. Also, people like people who listen to them. Simultaneously observing the relationships between co-workers and superiors and paying attention to informal social networks is important. By observing the communication and relationships that surround you at work will help you in improving your difficult relationships and attract opportunities where you can shine.

4. Focus on your Circle of Influence

Look for people who are not necessarily in high-level roles, but who have the ability to make things happen. Who are the movers and shakers in your organization, and what can you learn from how they get things done.

5. Build Relationships

One of the smartest things you can do is to build a relationship throughout the company so that you’ll have a foot in as many of the political camps as possible. But remember, build relationships on trust and respect – avoid empty flattery. Be a part of multiple networks – this way you can keep your finger on the pulse of the organization. Be friendly with everyone but don't align yourself with one group or another specifically.

6. Neutralize Negative Play

If anyone goes into a negative swirl, ignore or give a simple reply like -"I see" or "OK". On the other hand, people being positive, reply in affirmation and enthusiasm. Get to know these people better and be courteous to them, but always be very careful what you say to them. Understand what motivates these people and what their goals are, and so learn how to avoid or counter the impact of their negative politicking.

7. Govern Your Own Behaviour

Maintain your integrity at all times and remain professional. Must avoid whining and complaining. When voicing objections or criticism, make sure you take an organizational perspective not a personal one and remember the organization's interests. Don't rely on confidentiality because for the personal sake it is hard for people to maintain, assume things will be disclosed and so decide what you should reveal accordingly. Be positive and model of integrity to your team, and discourage politics within it.

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