Hello Seniors, Please suggest on how I can handle office politics. how I can survive in an environment full of mudslinging.
I want to grow in my career. I have joined a new company, working for the past 6 months. In all my previous companies I never had this issue. It's only here I am experiencing these policies. Though I avoid and want to keep away I become the victim in these games so many times.
It demotivates me when I think of the way I am treated sometimes. Please suggest, I want to fight back and grow and handle these situations easily without taking it personally...

From India, Madurai
Dear Nimaa
One has to accept "Office politics" as a part of work-life.
It does not mean, one has to participate in it; but that one must be aware of its existence and presence.
It is not easy or quick enough to learn how to be insulated or protect oneself from it.
It takes a lot of experience; maturity; empathy; righteousness; spiritual practice etc. to overcome its effect; or the temptation to fight back.
Initially, it would be desirable; if you can see through their game; empathise with their mental status and feelings; and can see how wretched they are to be a victim of their feelings of jealousy and inferiority complexes.
Keep growing yourself; and you"ll find these petty things are unable to hurt or affect you.
Warm regards.

From India, Delhi
Dear Nimaa,
Every time you change the job, you will find different type of colleagues and working culture. One should know what to entertain. Everybody do job to grow, but they have their one methodologies base on the caliber. Pl. keep yourself away from this and focus on your goals. if it is really very difficult to manage, think for switching.
Regards,
Hemant Kadam

From India, Mumbai
Nimaa,

I am in total agreement with Mr. Raj kumar and Mr. Hemant.

My first boss had taught me a very valuable lesson which I remember till date , with reference to office politics was that either be a part of game (play it) or be out of it. I had faced similar issues like you,but that was my first job. With due course of time, I've learnt how to steer away from it as I do not approve being a part of it. There are many ways whereby you can tackle the issue.

Listening to employees who are gossiping or criticizing an employee right in front of you sends a message that though passively but you are also a part of it. Whenever such discussions happen you could either try changing the topic or politely leave the place. Let these discussions neither provoke or have an impact on your judgement. Stand for what's correct and let people know that you are capable of taking your own decisions without getting negatively influenced.

If discussions happen at or near your desktop, then put in your earphones and listen to some informative podcasts/webinars/music. Another important issue to be considered it sharing your personal information; keep it minimum; you never know how it will be used. Just citing an example, one of my former colleague had shared few details about her private life with one of the co-workers. This intelligent co-worker blurted out everything in front of few other colleagues. Outcome? What she wanted to hide under rug, became known to her colleagues. That was a real unpleasant inciden as it remained a topic of gossiping for a very long time.

Try making it clear that you do not approve it. Remember to focus on your work, these are petty issues and it should not impact your work. Do a lot of observation which can help you to notice what's happening around you & be prepared for any difficult situation. Remain positive, professional, neutral and keep up your positive attitude.

Best Wishes for your future!

From India, Vadodara
Office politics can be vicious, and how power and influence are managed in your company will be a part of your career whether you choose to participate in them or not.

Some people prefer not to get involved in politics at work, but most career experts argue that playing the game is crucial to your career success. By avoiding it, you may find your talents ignored and your success limited, and you may feel left out of the loop.

Here are some tips that can help you win people over at the office:

Observe how things get done in your organization. Ask some key questions: What are the core values and how are they enacted? Are short- or long-term results more valued? How are decisions made? How much risk is tolerated? The answers to these questions should give you a good sense of the culture of your organization.

Don't be afraid to toot your own horn. If no one knows of your good work, you may lose at the game of office politics when you really deserve to win. Let others know what you've accomplished whenever you get the opportunity. If you don't know the fine art of diplomatic bragging, you might get lost in the shuffle of your co-workers.

Determine strategic initiatives in the company. Update your skills to be relevant to company initiatives. For example, don't lag behind in technology, quality or customer service approaches that are crucial to you and your company's success.

Don't align too strongly with one group. While an alliance may be powerful for the moment, new leadership will often oust existing coalitions and surround itself with a new team. Bridging across factions may be a more effective strategy for long-term success if you intend to stay in your current organization for some time.

Learn to communicate persuasively. Develop an assertive style, backed with solid facts and examples, to focus others' attention on your ideas and proposals. Good politicians can adjust their messages for their audience and always appear well-prepared.

Be true to yourself. After analyzing the political landscape in your company, if you decide the game is one you can't play, prepare to move on. It's not typical, but some companies actually condone -- even promote -- dishonest, ruthless or unethical behavior. The game of office politics in this situation is not one worth winning.

For any further clarification feel free to write or discuss.

__________________

Regards,

GAUTAM KAR - 09331148166

Find me at,

http://www.facebook.com/GAUTAMBKAR

https://twitter.com/GAUTAMKAR4U

From India, Kolkata
Dear Gautam

I appreciate the wonderful write-up posted by you.

However, please remember to add attribution to the source, from which you COPY-PASTE.

As not doing so, amounts to plagiarism or in simple words - stealing someone's work !!!

Moreover, by quoting the source, one tends to enhance or authenticate the views being put forth.

I found your above write-up, being taken (copy-paste with minor edit to REMOVE the source) from the following :

Six Ways To Win At Office Politics - CBS News

Six Ways to Win at Office Politics - Vault: Blog

Also. here is the Google Archive link for the same article :

The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search <link updated to site home> ( Search On Cite | Search On Google )

This seems to be a WIDELY SYNDICATED article and has been published severally extensively with attributions (or syndicated arrangement).

The IMPORTANT INFORMATION you have wilfully ommitted is :

"... says Louellen Essex, co-author of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."

Via online job site CareerBuilder.com, here are six tips from Essex that can help you win people over at the office: ...."

Once again, I would like to implore you to be careful and avoid such copyright violations and theft of someone's intellectual property right.

One may get PRAISES and APPRECIATIONS (as readers are led to believe that it is an original write-up), but it is immoral, unethical and illegal.

An example of a similar situation, for an HR might be : it is like selecting a candidate who puts up someone else's CV - qualification and experience.

Warm regards.

From India, Delhi
Hi Nimaa,
In addition to the suggestions you have got, please go through my earlier post:
https://www.citehr.com/437286-10-sim...ml#post1979726

From India, Delhi
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