It doesn’t matter where you work, office politics exist in every workplace. So, what exactly are office politics? They are the strategies that people use to gain advantage for themselves (or for a cause) in the workplace. There is a negative connotation associated with office politics that causes people to try to avoid them altogether. In order to ensure your personal success, it’s necessary to manage office politics as best as you can. Our team at High Profile has developed this post to show you how to limit office politics, and come out on top!
Be useful, especially if you’re new.
Not just to your boss either. Show your co-workers that you are there to help them, too. Let’s face it, in most jobs you run the risk of being replaced (everybody does). So why not make yourself as useful as possible? On top of being consistent and doing well with your own tasks, learn to be useful to others. We aren’t saying take on other people’s jobs, but small things do add up. For example, if your co-worker is swamped, offer to help print things for them whenever you are going to the printer. It’s a small act that may only save a few minutes, but it won’t go unnoticed. Don’t be a pushover either. If someone wants you to get them a cup of coffee simply because they are lazy, don’t go for it. Learn to be useful to the right people.
Build relationships with colleagues outside of your department.
It goes without saying that you should be building relationships with those you work with, but don’t forget to branch out to other groups. Getting to know people across all divisions is a great way to get your name out there, and it gives insight as to how various pieces of the company work together. Plus, you’ll get to know who does what for the company, and what types of decisions they make. You never know who you’ll end up working with, so get to know everyone from the start.
Don’t act impulsively.
You never want to do something that you’ll immediately regret, such as answering an email when you’re heated. Instead, take your time to come up with a strategy on how you want to respond rather than coming across as reactive.
These tips are just some of many to help you deal with office politics. Contact the expert recruiting team at High Profile today for more strategies on how to successfully navigate the workplace.