As you settle into your new job, you’ve probably gotten to know your coworkers and learnt how things operate in the workplace. But then one day, a colleague approaches you and tries to convince you to ignore a specific colleague. They’re weird and lazy, is what they tell you, and they advise you to avoid them at all costs, much to your confusion.
Sounds familiar? This is an example of office politics at play, and for many, it leaves a bad taste in their mouth. In fact, 37% of employees attribute it as a cause of work-related stress. But yet at the same time, it’s very much prevalent in just about every workplace you’ll walk into, with a study finding that 80% of respondents deem it ‘alive and well’ in their office. So why is it so common?
Reasons for strife
As a place where different people come together, it’s inevitable for some to butt heads on how things should be done at work, potentially leading to conflict. While the exact motives can vary from person to person, why employees engage in office politics can be boiled down to a few objectives – to achieve certain individualistic goals, gain influence and power within the workplace, which can be done at the expense of others at times, or simply ensure the colleague they personally dislike has a difficult time at work.
Moreover, the workplace’s environment can also increase the intensity of office politics, especially if the company culture promotes a competitive work environment. In addition, if there are limited resources available in the company (such as few spots in a coveted project, or a looming promotion), it can also breed competition as employees compete to achieve higher positions, recognition and salaries.
Surviving office politics
Getting through the terrain of office politics can be incredibly daunting, especially if you’re new to the office or prefer to not get involved. However, if you’re faced with office politics, you should know how to manage it instead of pretending it doesn’t exist, or worse, participating in it.
Steer clear of gossip
It can be tempting to engage in it as a way to make friends, but the truth is that participating in gossip (or ranting) sessions can destroy your credibility, both professionally and personally. After all, if you’re the type who spreads rumours so easily, it’ll be difficult for people to trust you with anything.
With this in mind, it’s best to keep your distance as best you can, and remain non-committal when asked about your opinion about things, especially when pertaining to other colleagues!
Maintain good relationships
As the saying goes, life often feels much easier with good friends. Forming genuine connections in the office can not only help you build your reputation, but it’s much easier to cope with office politics when you have comrades on your side. For example, if you find yourself being harassed or ostracised by someone in the office, you can fall back on them for support and guidance on how to deal with it.
Document your work
Being transparent is one way of staying ahead of office politics, and keeping tabs on your work is one way to do so. This, as well as keeping your supervisors and coworkers in the loop regularly can protect you from challenges against your work ethic or skills, protecting your reputation. You can do this by keeping copies of your performance reviews and detailed notes on your track record. It also helps to describe them as measurable as possible.
This can also apply to correspondence between you and your coworkers – if you think something might go wrong and become an issue, write it down. This will help resolve things in your favour.
Regulate your emotions
If you find yourself in conflict, such as when someone tries to make you look bad, it can be tempting to retaliate back. However, having an ‘eye-for-an-eye’ attitude can backfire – you might be seen as petty, and the reaction may be exactly what the other party wants. Instead, the better approach is to confront them privately. You never know, you might be able to make peace with them and even befriend them once you've managed to clear the air between the both of you!
Navigating office politics can seem like a daunting challenge, and for a lot of people, it’s often an unpleasant part of working. But being aware of effective strategies, such as knowing the right people, being meticulous about your work and handling public conflict appropriately will likely help to make your working life a lot easier.