How to Deal with Office Politics (2 of 2)

Conclusion



NON-COOPERATIVE CO-WORKERS WHO CAUSE AVOIDABLE DELAYS

The best way to deal with this lot is to make it a practice to pass the job to them with a small note that bears the date and time. Alongside that, insert ‘Returned to (put your name) on (date) at (time).
Make sure that everyone who needs to work on the job fills in this information. You will be amazed at how this will improve efficiency levels. This is simply because the cog in the wheel will easily become visible for anyone who needs to know.

OFFICE POLITICS

The best way to handle office politics is to stay away from it. You are in the office to do your work and enjoy your personal interactions. Do just that. Anything that comes in the way of these two priorities must be put aside.

WHAT NOT TO DO:
• Do not discuss your colleagues with your office groups. You will be much better off if you discuss them with your family and friends outside the office.
• If you have a problem with any colleague or superior, address your problem with the concerned person, rather than with a third person.

COMMUNAL BIAS
An organisational set-up should ideally be a solidarity of equals and inequals, including the ‘other,’ the ‘foreigner,’ the ‘they’ and the ‘we’ but under certain circumstances, this solidarity breaks up. When it does, we need to be able to handle it. It is the people in a workplace that are responsible for creating a conducive work environment and you must be aware that you are a part of those ‘people’.

WHAT TO DO TO KEEP BIASES AT BAY:
• Refrain from speaking iii your mother tongue in the office.
• Do not encourage group-ism based on community.
• Adhere to proper etiquette and behaviour styles.
• Intermingle with everyone across communal barriers.
• Show interest in, and participate in cross-cultural activities.

In spite of doing all this, there are times when there is a breakdown and discrimination does happen.

WE CAN THEN RE-CREATE A NONDISCRIMINATORY WORKPLACE BY:
• Openly speaking about the hazards of discrimination.
• Tactfully brushing aside discriminatory remarks directed at us.
• Focusing on the ‘work’ rather than the ‘personality’ aspect.
• Pointedly ignoring discriminatory remarks aimed at others.

DEALING WITH THE OFFICE KNOW-IT-ALL

Once again, it is your attitude that will make or break the interaction. So get smart.
Shake off your irritation and approach suggestions with an open attitude. Tell yourself that he is merely trying to make improvements. If you think the ideas are good, say so. That will lower his defences and make the interaction a lot easiest. If you think the ideas are not practical, ask questions - “How do you think that will work here?” ‘What do you think will happen if we do it like this?” ‘Do you think we could try it this way”? See, you are constantly asking for his opinion. Even if he agrees to your suggestion, you are giving burn the option; the final decision is his and that will make him feel in control.

As long as you can prevent the interaction from turning into an ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ situation, both of you will be happy. If the know-it-all is indeed a skilled colleague, you will have gained a valuable friend.

DISRUPTIVE CO-WORKERS/ BOSSES

Co-workers will constantly disturb you with trivial tasks and personal work only if you willingly entertain them. When a co-worker approaches you with this kind of request try this approach, “I’m busy right now, Leave it and I’ll get back to you for clarification, as soon as I can.” Then, when you see her getting ready to Leave for the day, pick up the papers and ask her to tell you what she wanted. In all probability she will say ‘We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” To which you could say “Then it’s not important? I’m glad it can wait. I’m really busy. May I leave it on your table?”

You do not have to be ready to chat with co-workers every time they come by. Sometimes you could look up, smile fleetingly and look down at your papers again. This gives them an indication that you do not have the time to chat now, Remember, it’s you who is sending out the signals. Make sure they are the right ones.

Disruptive bosses need to be handled differently. Your response could be, “That’s going to take some time to do. Is it okay with you if the urgent job you gave me gets delayed?” Disruptive bosses need to be given the onus of prioritising. This will be a relief for you and ease the tension of juggling job priorities.

DEALING WITH CONTROLLING, AUTOCRATIC SENIORS/ EMPLOYERS

Most autocratic people are not even aware that they are being autocratic. It’s only fair therefore that we give them feedback on how their actions are affecting us. Humour is one of the best ways to tackle this situation. “I’m beginning to feel like a computer in here. You feed in the data, I spit it out. Do you think you could trust me enough to make some independent decisions?” Then promptly suggest what you can take over.

I’m quite sure you will have realised by now that to be happy in your work environment, you primarily need to watch your own behaviour. Because, ultimately it’s your own behaviour that will make or break an interpersonal transaction.

Ruthless ambition, Mammoth egos and personal rivalries are an inescapable part of Office Life

HOW TO DEAL WITH Office Politics (1 of 2)

In our workplace, we often find ourselves navigating a potential minefield of various personality types and as we strive to blend in, we sometimes end up feeling a certain loss of identity or even dignity. This arises from the fact that on the one hand we want to be strong and on the other, we feel the need to harness our reactions and comments in order to keep the proverbial ‘peace.’

We would experience fewer problems in the realm of office dynamics if only we could successfully make a clear demarcation and place the ‘good of the organisation’ ahead of our personal agendas and egos. But then, along with ambitions comes arrogance and a competitive spirit. It is this personality trait that Lands us into hot water in the work place. Let us examine therefore, how we can put these aside and view the big picture. We must realise that a personal victory over a co-worker is not a victory in the end; it is simply an empty, petty triumph, which does more harm than good in the Long run. Bearing this in mind, Let us take a Look at some of the issues we face day after day in the office, and equip ourselves to handle them.

HANDLING VICIOUS GOSSIP

Harmless and Vicious. Harmless gossip is good for you; it is often called the office grapevine. If you keep your ear to the ground on this one, you will stay informed and get a chance to capitalise on opportunities. This brand of gossip will include new appointments, promotions, new clients, company diversifications, etc. It is the second category, ‘Negative Gossip’ that is poisonous. This includes personal rumours, accusations and untruths among other things. Negative gossip, no matter what the intention, is unethical and can cause irreparable damage to your professional reputation. Avoid it.

TRY TO:
• Draw a clear Line between work and personal life
• Tactfully do a one-on-one confrontation with the source if you
become the target. Do not vent your feelings to co-workers.
• Tactfully but resolutely state that you don’t want to hear the
details of someone’s private Life and excuse yourself; if you are
invited to participate in malicious gossip.
• Move away when people gossip. Simply sitting quietly while
other people spread malicious rumors makes you a collaborator.

DEALING WITH INEFFICIENT COLLEAGUES

Every individual brings to the workplace their particular character and personalities. The wise ones acknowledge this, and find ways to handle each personality with tact, thereby maintaining the delicate interpersonal dynamics of the office environment. This particular scenario is no different.

YOU WILL NEED TO:
• Closely study members of this group.
• Identify the inefficiency areas, since these are the cause of
insecurity that has probably given rise to this particular
behaviour.
• Identify areas of efficiency.
• Applaud the efficiency whenever an opportunity arises.
• Very tactfully, help out in areas of inefficiency. The fact that
you helped must remain strictly between you and your colleague.
• Once you build up a rapport of trust, you will cease to be a
threat and there will be no reason to gang up on you.

(end of part I)

Ruthless ambition, Mammoth egos and personal rivalries are an inescapable part of Office Life