Workplace politics – Let it not affect you..!
Workplace politics is described as the process and behavior in human interactions involving power and authority. Human nature is said to be inherently political. Politics is present everywhere, and office politics are a fact of life no matter where you work. Politics is a tool used by many to deal with and deliver in demanding situations. A lot of times office politics is the reason people quit their jobs, but as mentioned before, politics will be present in every workplace, so it is best that you learn how to deal with it. It is an age of competition and if you let everything get to you, you will not grow to the best of your ability.
Hence, we are here to help you. Following are the ways to handle Workplace politics without disturbing your peace:
Keep doing you:
Staying focused, making goals, and achieving them is the first step to win at any workplace. The more focused you are in your work the easier it becomes to avoid unproductive situations. The more motivated and passionate you are about your work the less you will be concerned about the unnecessary gossip around you. No matter what anyone’s views/opinions may be about you, if you do full justice to your work, you will automatically earn respect in the workplace.
Knowing who is who:
Knowing about the important people, who you can ally with, who you should best avoid is important. Develop relationships with people strategically which will help you in the future. Be an observer and try to learn as much you can about the people’s dynamics within the organization so you can get a sense of the situation and act accordingly. Avoid taking any sides as it might be counterproductive.
Practise social distancing from gossip:
Gossiping may seem like it can help you gain friends, but that is definitely not the way to go thinking about the long run. Unnecessary gossip tends to create a negative environment and it is best you don’t get yourself involved in that mess. If you see people around you involved in gossip it is best to stay neutral. Under no circumstances indulge in gossip just to please people or talk negatively about someone behind their back. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want to be subjected to. Only contribute positively to the workspace despite whatever anybody else may be doing.
Build Relationships:
Build relationships with people with everyone around the organization, even if they may not be from your department. Dealing with politics by building a good rapport with every department within the organization is definitely the best way to go. Having good relationships with people in your organization can contribute a lot if you want to climb the ladder within the workplace.
Remember the end goal:
Office politics is not a win-win situation for everyone. So, if even one person loses, it affects the organization as a whole. If you have to engage in workplace politics make sure you strategically plan your actions that will create a win-win situation for everyone. If you develop such a mind-set, of uplifting not only yourself but others too, you will not only grow as a person but also earn the goodwill of your peers.
That is it folks! See you in our next blog. Until then, Stay Home, Stay Safe.