How To Practice “Good” Office Politics
BUSINESS EDITORIAL
Office politics, you can’t hide from ‘em.
As Aristotle said, “Man is by nature a political animal.”
So what can you do to handle tittle-tattle and gossip without selling your soul?
You need to learn how to play the game, but with kindness and integrity.
Here are three above-board tips:
1. Don’t play favourites.
Instead of thinking of office politics as a game of chess, treat it like a democracy. Everyone’s a credible connection, whether they’re the intern or the CFO. So make it clear you don’t play favourites and show that you care what people have to say—no matter what their job title.
2. Do random acts of kindness.
Extending acts of thoughtfulness helps promote a culture of positive politics. For instance: take time to help a colleague struggling with a deadline. Send a thank-you note to the person who rescued your deleted report. Or bring in a big box of chocolates for everyone to share. Small acts can make a big difference.
3. If you can’t see the light? Be the light.
If everyone’s ranting and raving, don’t join in with negativity. Make it a point to say something positive. Be the bigger person. Your goal is to derail gossip, shut down toxicity and shift the direction of the conversation.
Once you accept that office politics is part and parcel of working life, you can strive to build a more positive environment. Use these tips to turn office politics into a force for good.
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