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Don’t Shake It Up

Don’t Shake It Up. Understand Office Politics. “Office Politics” – What is it?. It is simply how power gets worked out on a practical, day-to-day basis among co-workers. It can be either positive or negative. “Office Politics” – What is it?.

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Don’t Shake It Up

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  1. Don’t Shake It Up Understand Office Politics

  2. “Office Politics” – What is it? • It is simply how power gets worked out on a practical, day-to-day basis among co-workers. • It can be either positive or negative.

  3. “Office Politics” – What is it? • It is the use of one's individual or assignedpowerwithin an employing organization for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one's legitimate authority. • Those advantages may include access to tangible assets, or intangible benefits such as status or pseudo-authority that influences the behavior of others. • Both individuals and groups may engage in Office Politics.

  4. Should you play? • Some experts argue that you can’t avoid the game of office politics. • Some say it is crucial to career success. • Many say that it causes stress.

  5. Is this just Office Gossip? • Office politics has the objective of gaining an advantage. • Office gossip is a social activity. • Both activities are highly related to each other.

  6. Examples of Office Politics • “Sucking up”/”Brown-nosing” • Being the “Yes” person • Being the office cynic • Giving someone a piece of your mind • An e-mail war (and CC everyone!) • Sleeping with the Boss or coworker • Stealing credit • Gossiping coworkers • Abusive Managers

  7. More Examples….. • Favoritism • Nepotism • Lazy and annoying coworkers • Betrayal • Sex in the office • False resumes • White lies • Sneaky tricks • and much, much more.

  8. Case Study • Read the case studies • Twisted Tornado – link to it • Under the Bus – link to it • Kissing “Butt” – link to it • 2 tasks: • Identify the issue(s) involved • Determine the action(s) you would take

  9. Case Study - Twisted Tornado

  10. Case Study - Twisted Tornado Ways to Deal with this Situation • Accept the fact that bad people do get promoted. • Understand that you are at risk by voicing your displeasure in public. • Be mindful of your focus – do your best work and remain professional always. • Emulate parts of her behavior – Network!

  11. Case Study – Under the Bus Haloed Coworker Throws Others Under the Bus

  12. Case Study – Under the Bus Ways to Deal with this Situation • Stay calm and fact-based. • Take it one step at a time in your attempts to deal with her. Marathon vs. sprint • Make attempts to include her - often! • Sit down with her with the purpose of calmly discussing an observation or giving feedback from a non-threatening position.

  13. More Under the Bus… • Consider that she basically means well. With this approach, you are likely to come from a place of offering help rather than getting provoked into an angry response. • When all else fails, lay low, stay out of the line of fire and document behavior.

  14. Case Study – Kissing “Butt” Is it necessary to succeed?

  15. Case Study – Kissing “Butt” Ways to Deal with this Situation • This is an opportunity for growth. • You’re undervaluing yourself. • Coworker is good at networking - You have to get better! • Being friendly with the Boss is not ‘kissing butt’ – try being nice. • Research other job opportunities or apply for the supervisor job yourself.

  16. How to Win at Office Politics What you will need… • $$ - Money every few weeks for the occasional lunch with a colleague to build and maintain relationships. • Time - An hour a week for coffee breaks, lunches, and impromptu chats in the hallway — time for you to offer help, ask for it, or socialize with people whose relationships you value.

  17. What you will need - continues Tools • Game Plan: Know what you want to accomplish so you can tie the work you do - and the alliances you forge - to those goals. • Allies: Find the people who will listen and support you. Remember: those with the power to help you may be peers or support staff. • Chits: Before you can ask your allies for favors, you first need to give them genuine support. What can you offer that will have real value to them? • Thick Skin: People may try to block your goals to advance their own. Don't take it personally. They're not out to get you - just to save themselves.

  18. Observe your Company Culture • Who gets listened to? • Who has influence in decisions? • What is rewarded? • What is punished?

  19. Office politics – good outcomes? • Achieve worthwhile goals • Gain support for a needed change • Bring an idea to fruition • Have a successful and rewarding career

  20. Understand Office Politics Questions? Thank You!

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