PubKicks

Everybody is familiar with politics at work, the unfair prejudices that exist at the office. Many see it as a power outside of our range of control and that at times we must submit to this power.

With the politics at work, here are a few examples. Politics at work usually isn’t the type of prejudice that gets people sued, it’s people getting promotions based on whom they know rather than on what they do. Does this sound familiar?

In your mind’s eye see yourself employed for six months and then gunning for a new open spot within the company. This is a position you are one hundred percent qualified for so you turn your resume into the HR department. With the department manager you can get a surprise interview. Even though every other applicants shares your skill sets you feel you nailed the interview. Office politics can sometimes override your chance of being hired. Those that share the same passions or viewpoints as your boss may be picked over you. This hurts bad.

What is one to do knowing that politics is widely at work in the world? You have two choices in my experience. You have to play the office politics game if you want to win. Don’t fight the idea instead embrace and enjoy it. For most people, it is hard to do something you don’t like. And it can be emotionally draining pretending to like someone you don’t.

Alternately, you could be so good at your job that the company cannot afford to lose you. This demands nearly the same effort as faking company/co-worker relationships with supervisors. Doing one of the two is the only way to respond to politics at work.

I advise the second, performing your job so well that politics at work can’t impact you. You obtain so much influence at the office that you can influence outcomes, regardless of what others say. The aspect could to your surprise lead you to your goal.

Determining if you want to play the game, is an important task of making politics at work. In order to achieve success in the realm of business, you need to partake of the game of politics at work. You will be able to determine which path to follow. Results always override office politics.

To Your Success!