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Office politics: quick guide
By Stephanie Sparrow
The first few weeks in a new job are nerve-racking, but there's more to master than a fresh set of responsibilities and a temperamental drinks machine. Most workplaces have their own way of doing things and you won't find the answers in the corporate handbook or intranet. Here's our new recruit's guide to navigating office politics:
Plan your route
"You need to map out the political landscape as soon as you can," says interpersonal skills expert Fiona Dent, "but this doesn't mean rush into things. Sit back, watch and listen so that you can ascertain who the key players are and how they operate."
Keep your distance
“In the early days watch out for the person who wants to be your best friend," says Dent, who lectures in influencing skills at the Ashridge international business school.
She says that such people could be using you to extend their own empires. "Try to identify why they are being so friendly so quickly."
Identify roadblocks
At the Politics at Work consultancy, Colin Gautrey, the managing director, coaches executives in how to match politics with integrity. He says that political campaigns require lots of research in the early days, from establishing more about your new job to researching which projects have hit roadblocks. "Find out why and what happened next. It's easier than asking who the office politicians are," he says.
Accelerate your understanding
Be as quick off the mark as possible in getting to know what your job is and what effect it should have. "Find out what has to happen next and who has an impact on this. Understand who stands to win or lose by your actions," advises Gautrey.
Track down a mentor
The best way to plug into the political network is to find yourself an internal mentor who will advise, and guide you, says Graham Alexander, executive coach and author of Tales from the Top. Most companies support such initiatives. "Mentors are usually influential people and you'll need to impress. If you get one, make sure that you meet regularly and have a good agenda. Be proactive in seeking one out and you'll win their interest in you."
Keep it clean
There are clear dangers in bad-mouthing colleagues. "Playing office politics does not mean criticising others," says Alexander. "It's a bad ploy and dilutes one's stature."
Lying is never acceptable. As soon as people start to lie, things get out of hand. "A liar's reputation spreads as people go on their guard and they will be less open with you," says Gautrey. "And don't try to cover up mistakes, because if you do you are simply handing them over to the adversaries you might be creating."
Stay in control
It can be just as dangerous to be the office soft-touch as the local tough guy. "Don't wear your heart on your sleeve because you could become open to manipulation," says Alexander. Tact, diplomacy and emotional management are vital if you are to survive office politics in those early days.
Vote-catching
Mastering office politics will stand you in good stead not just for your new job, but for future career moves. A survey of HR managers by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that 61% regarded political and influencing skills as an advantage for candidates. Get that right and you could secure your next move.
Here are our top five tips for surviving the political minefield in your workplace:
- Deliver the day job. In today's performance-driven cultures bosses want the goods, not the gossip.
- Show integrity. The old adage "you reap what you sow" will always ring true and, with more organisations operating 360 degree feedback, the truth will usually come out.
- Identify the power base. Pinpoint those who can help you and who have political clout within the organisation.
- Remember colleagues. Peers and fellow workers are equally as important as the big guns, particularly if you need to make things happen quickly.
- Listen and learn. Understanding relationships means being a keen listener who can read between the lines. Even those who don't consider themselves political can pick up these skills through observation and experience.
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