Office politics…. Tame its sting

Gossips, favoritism, the undeserving moving ahead, are all signs of office politics. Wherever there are people, politics is alive and in the workplace it’s a given, but office politics need not be divisive. Here’s how to do your keep politics in check.

Understand your power: People with power are often seen as the ones who play politics but everyone fuels office politics or not by the way they handle differences with others; how they pursue personal agendas or use their influence.

Know the power network: Positional leaders have power but so do many other informal leaders who have their own networks of people they influence. Knowing the power lines ensures that you use your own influence positively and do not become a victim of the power play.

Read between the lines: This will help you understand the sub-issues in any given situation and see past the obvious. Don’t operate on assumptions; rather develop the habit of assessing rather than assuming. Pay attention to the nonverbal behaviours of the people around you.

Be competent in discussion: Steer discussions in a positive direction. Don’t get drawn into micro details that prevent you from seeing the broader purpose. Seek to understand first and suppress the urge to lead with your personal interests. Mind your language and be careful not to be patronising.

Embrace trade-offs: This does not suggest that you give up on your interests but balance yours with those of others because insisting on yours may bring tension or conflict. Have a give and take approach.

Now take action:What one thing can you do to make your workplace more positive?