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(OFFICE) POLITICS AS USUAL?
Knowing how to work the system is not necessarily a bad thing
Put two people in an office and you get a partnership, a standoff or a split. Put three or more people in an office and you get politics.
"Politics is just part of the business world," said Bob Collins, chairman of the Society for Human Resource Management in Atlanta. "When you have people with different backgrounds, personalities and goals working together, you're going to have office politics."
If you saw any of the campaign ads in the last election, you know why "politics" has a negative connotation in most people's minds. Mudslinging, backbiting, coattail-riding, rumor and innuendo all seem to be part of the process.
"People tend to only see the dark side of office politics -- to think that it's a nasty game, played by nasty people," said Jennifer Kahnweiler, owner of AboutYou Inc., a firm that delivers speaking, training and consulting programs to maximize career success. "But politics is actually a neutral concept. It's about giving and getting, about knowing your assets and using your influence and power to get things accomplished in your organization."
JENNIFER KAHNWEILER
Owner of AboutYou Inc.
If you want career success, you can't afford to ignore office politics. Putting your head in the sand or never leaving your cubicle could mean getting passed over for choice assignments, raises or promotions.
"It could also get you labeled as not pulling your weight, not being a team player or not fitting in, and that could get you dismissed from the company," Collins said.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to be politically savvy without resorting to negative practices.
"Reframing your attitude on politics to see its positive aspects as an informal structure for getting things done is the first step in learning how to navigate the process," Kahnweiler said.
Know yourself
"It's your job to be proactive about your career. You need to know your assets, skills and values and be able to communicate that to your supervisor and others," Collins said. "Character and values are a big part of office politics. If you know what you stand for, you're less likely to be manipulated or trust the wrong people. You may think that you have no power, but your abilities, influence and contacts can impact the group."
"Too many people talk about what 'they' are doing or not doing in a company," said Lynne Waymon, speaker, trainer and co-author with Anne Baber of "Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-How for Clients, Cash and Career Success." "When you lump the people who are making decisions about your career and future into 'they,' you are removing yourself from having any influence. If you can identify them as Susan, Bill and Carlos, then you can figure out ways to show those people your competence and character, and that could change your career outcome."
Because you'll always be on someone's radar screen, it pays to live your values and protect your "corridor reputation." People have job titles, but they also have reputations in the office. Spreading gossip, creating sides in order to build your case, constantly complaining, seeking revenge or sinking to someone else's low tactics won't help your reputation or career in the long run, Waymon said.
Know your company
"Every company has a culture. You can best understand the essence of that culture by looking at the company's purpose, philosophy and priorities," said Ava S. Wilensky, co-author with Sheila L. Margolis of "There Is No Place Like Work: Seven Leadership Insights for Creating a Workplace to Call Home." "The culture is the underlying basis for attitudes, assumptions and values held by the company, and the office politics grows from it."
Both adjunct professors at Georgia State University, Margolis and Wilensky founded CORE InSites Inc. in 1998 to help companies understand and leverage their corporate cultures to enhance bottom-line success.
Navigating office politics starts before you start the job. "Do your homework before you interview in order to get some sense of the company culture. Visit the corporate Web site; read any articles and blogs you can find. Talk to other employees to find out what the organization says it values and how it does its work," Margolis said.
AVA S. WILENSKY
Co-founder (left),
CORE InSites Inc.
"If you feel like it's an uphill battle to get anything done, don't linger where the fit isn't right. What you want is to find work that is meaningful to you, in a place where you feel connected and can make a contribution."
SHEILA L. MARGOLIS
Co-founder (right),
CORE InSites Inc.
The tone of company culture and politics is often set at the top. If the CEO is open and honest about sharing information and welcomes feedback, then that style trickles down through the organization. When you do your research, pay close attention to the leadership.
"You're looking for a good culture-fit," Collins said. If your values and way of operating align with those of the company, you're going to feel more connected and be more effective. "There are a lot of good people with the skills to do the job who are in the wrong company."
If a company doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
"Listen to yourself. If you feel like it's an uphill battle to get anything done, don't linger where the fit isn't right," Margolis said. "What you want is to find work that is meaningful to you, in a place where you feel connected and can make a contribution."
First observe and listen
In the first 90 days of any job, you're forming an impression of the company, and your employer is forming an impression of you, Collins said. The more you can learn during this time, the better.
"Be a sponge -- soak up everything you can -- because you can derail your career from the start if you don't know what's going on," Kahnweiler said.
In meetings, pay attention to how decisions are made, who speaks and who gets heard. Body language and facial expressions can tell you a lot about underlying tensions and attitudes -- and, perhaps, about whom to avoid.
"Listen more than you talk, and be strategic. Don't start forming alliances the moment you walk in the door," Wilensky said. "This is the time to stand back and get the lay of the land."
Make getting to know as many people as possible part of your orientation agenda. "Eat lunch with a variety of people. Ask them about what they do and tell them about what you do," Waymon said.
Jot down names and notes later to help you keep track.
Find some mentors
"Once you've listened and learned, choose one or two people you trust who will mentor you through the political process," Wilensky said. "Find those insiders who will share information without it devolving into gossip. They could be peers, supervisors or someone who reports to you."
"One way to learn to be organizationally savvy is by hanging around people who understand the system and navigate it well. Being willing to learn both the written and unwritten rules is smart," Kahnweiler said.
Establish a strong network
"Positive strategic networking is at the heart of office politics," Waymon said. "You want to know people throughout the company, your professional organizations and the community. These are the people you will turn to when you need help getting something done."
They also may be the people who will recommend you for an important project or training program or who will stand up for you in a crisis.
Positive networking is based on finding common ground and trust and eliciting the best from everyone.
"Everyone has something they do well. Base your relationship on that," Waymon said.
Being generous with your time and skills to help others get ahead is another way to build strong relationships in a company, Margolis said.
Be professional
You can avoid a lot of political fallout by steering clear of gossip, treating others well, not burning bridges when you change departments and sharing personal information selectively.
If you want to complain about personal problems or the new boss, it's best to do it outside the company.
"You don't have to see eye-to-eye with everyone, but you need to be able to work together in order to do business," Collins said.
Even in the best of companies, there can be petty competitions, someone who takes credit for others' work, jealousy and miscommunication. An atmosphere of uncertainty, upheaval or weak leadership tends to foster negative politics.
"When faced with a difficult situation that can't be resolved by ignoring it, talking to your adversary or informing your supervisor, it's good to remember that you have resources in the HR department," Kahnweiler said. "Human resource professionals can coach you or give you tips on how to handle things. They're good at that."
