SurvivingOfficePolitics

WhatisOfficePolitics?
OrganizationalPoliticsinvolvesintentionalactsof
influencetoenhanceorprotecttheselfinterestof
individualsorgroups

Communicatingindirectly
Usingcoverttacticstoadvance
Controllingotherpeoplethrough
psychologicalmanipulation
Beingcautiousabouttellingthetruth
Hidingvulnerability
Curryingfavor

"Poli" in Latin means "many" and "tics" means "blood-sucking creatures". Sreeja
 WhatCreatesOfficePolitics?

Scarcityofresources
Atoocompetitiveworkenvironment
Subjectiveperformancestandards
Unclearjobdefinitions
Emotionalinsecurity

"A group of unicorns is called a blessing. A group of owls is called a

parliament. Sreeja
 PoliticalClimatesinCorporateWorld

PiranhaorNirvana
Highlypoliticalclimate:Scoreof90plusisPiranhaLand..
Wearbulletproofvest
Riskyclimate:Scoresofmorethan50indicatesome
problems
Zeroornegligiblepolitics:Scoreof10orlessisNirvana
Neverleave

Man is by nature a political animal.

- Aristotle
Sreeja
 DealingwithOfficePolitics
Politicsarerealandunavoidable;Expect
thisinallsituations.Politicsarepartof
humanreaction.

Itsnottheactualworkthatisdriving
youcrazy;youlikethework.Eventhe
longhoursarenottheproblem.Itsthe
emotionalundercurrents,gossipingand
backstabbingthickeningtheairthatyou
findexhausting

Politics is a necessary evil and often its just plain evil. Unfortunately, its also
how things get done.- Mr. Blaine Pardoe, Director, Technology-Education Services,
Ernst & Young LLP Sreeja
Beknownasaproducerandnotapolitician.

Do your work with dedicated interest and loyalty. Enjoy

the tasks

Be punctual. Know the time management ways. Finish the tasks within
the expected deadline

Do your best to observe the rules. There are many ways the same task
can be done. Do it in the way relevant to your role

Improve your knowledge and professionalism. Continue asking for

superiors feedback and direction- Do not assume your boss knows all
your accomplishments

Be the best no matter the size of the job. Always be your own competitor

To strive, to seek, to find NOT to yield Live up to it. Sreeja

Thinkbeforeyouspeakoract
Learn to separate Gossip from Discussion. When you discuss
somebody, ask yourself if youd say the same things in their
presence. If you wont, then it may be unladylike and gossipy.

Every message you send is being judged. Make sure you dont bury
the lead in your e-mails. Get to the point quickly and end with a call
to action

Never discuss your salary with your colleagues. Remember what you
earn is based on what you bargained for when you joined & based on
your last salary at your previous job. If youre the one whos in a
position to handle appraisals, you need to justify salaries and
increments- but in a +ve way

Power of a positive No The way we say and the reason are the keys.
Remember, the no should be for your needs, not against the person

A sharp tongue sometimes cuts its own throat. Sreeja

BeHonestandOpen

Honesty is still the best policy. People who never compromise on

their standards and integrity always win in the end and rise
naturally above politics and competition

If you have a problem or difference in opinion with someone, discuss

the matter openly

Dont accuse, Dont make judgments. If you are at fault, understand

that and say sorry, adding how good it was that we talked.

Accept your imperfections. Dont be defeated by criticism, learn from

it. Take any criticism as constructive and let it make you think
rather than defend yourself

Treat everyone with politeness even those who are rude to you, not because they
are really nice, but because you are nice Sreeja
Gobeyondthejob:Raiseyourprofile
It is vital to keep yourself updated on happenings. Attend all
meetings, learn about all your companys projects & be in touch
with as many people as you can

Join the professional organizations and become active in community

programs. Many times, those in power positions are more likely to
take notice if you are hosting a charity event than if you are back at
the office with your nose to the grindstone

Engineer your environment by documenting processes, analyzing

activities, writing specifications. Fix the attitude, become a real
asset to your business. Always try to think outside the box

Find a mentor: someone who can guide and help you develop
professionally. Look for someone with whom you share a common
background, interests and chemistry- who is politically savvy

A diplomat is a person who thinks twice before he says nothing. - Frederick Sawyer
Sreeja
 Beaprofessional
Attitude plays a vital role. Dont be emotional in a situation. Never get
into a shouting match

Dont underestimate anybody. Try to always give your colleagues and

subordinates a chance to get into the limelight

Never take sides. While its good to have close relationships at work, they
should not interfere with your judgment of others

Take things light-heartedly. Dont live in past. Dont hold grudges or be

vindictive. Never take a problem to the manager without having two or
three solutions for the problem

Humor is the best antidote. Without being sarcastic, brush off gossip
with a smile and without commenting on it

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public
Sreeja
office.
 Roleofmanagers

Seniors must lead by example. Build a positive work environment, which calls
for open communication and teamwork.

Focus on common interests rather than differences. Build enthusiasm by

appealing to others emotionals, ideals or values.

Clear job definitions. See the work is balanced. Take an interest in their personal
well-being. Show the appreciation for a job well done.

Always be there. Attend and respond to all mails and chats. Create a secure
atmosphere by being a good listener.

Be a leader - Find lack of confidence and trust in employees and encourage them
to share their concerns. Lift others up with you and forgive failures.

Encourage the team to maintain balance in their lives. Trust the team and help
them in using the companys policies for a perfect work-life balance.

A Boss says Do it , but a Leader says Lets do it!. Sreeja

 SummaryofSurvivalStrategies:
Knowyourgoals&interests.
Focusoncommonground,notdifferences.
Build,nurturepersonalrelationships.
Betruetoyourself.
Thinkbeforeyouspeak.
Learntosaynotounnecessarytopics.
Bedifferentnotpartofwhiningmasses.
Talkbig,outsidethebox.
Appearcoolunderpressure.
Displaygoodcorporatemanners.
Learnnewskillsandsellthem.
Beateamplayer

And most important Realize its ok if we dont get

along with a few! There comes the relevance of word
compatibility. There is no need to please everyone!
The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you
are unworthy of winning. - Adlai Stevenson Sreeja
Self-Check

Lets take some time to see- How political you are!

Questionnaire
http://money.cnn.com/quizzes/2006/fortune/office_
politics/

"Better to light a candle than curse the darkness."

Sreeja
Chinese Proverb
 Bibliography
What System Administrators Should Know, Part 2 of 6: Surviving Office Politics
By Leeland Artra

Swimming with the Sharks Fisher Graduate School of International Business

Readers Digest Joy 2008 edition

http://www.dalekurow.com

The Power of a Positive No By William Ury

http://money.cnn.com

All the quotable quotes came from my personal collection gathered from lots of
sources.

Copy from one, its plagiarism; copy from two, its research."
Sreeja
Wilson Mizner
Thank YOU!

Sreeja