On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Office Politics Cant Be Ignored

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Office Politics Can't Be Ignored As the race heats up for the presidential nomination, its a good time to remember that politics isn't confined to just those running for office. In fact, some of the most sophisticated politicking takes place in the workplace.Who hasnt been on the receiving end of some on-the-job political maneuvering that would put even the most savvy national campaign strategist to shame? What workplace hasnt seen people choose up sides, putting their support behind certain people while working to undermine others?For those in the professional political arena, this is part of the game and they readily admit they love the rough and tumble stuff. But for those who want to just do their jobs, this is a nasty side of business they could do without.Still, its naïve and unwise to ignore office politics that have been a part of the work life since man first earned a wage. The key is to understand that you can and must understand on-the-job politics in order to not only survive, but thrive, in the workp lace.Here are some things to think about:1. Hating it wont make it go away. In a perfect cubicle world, office politics would cease to exist. Forget it. You have a better chance of the Easter Bunny being named CEO. The sooner you accept its part of life, the sooner youll understand that you can deal with it and not sell your soul to the devil.2. Know your code. While you may detest some of the smarmier aspects of politics in the workplace, it doesnt mean you have to sink to that level in order to participate. You dont have to lie, cheat, steal or cause physical harm but you can listen, learn, be professional and ethical.3. Seek win-win solutions. Politics in the workplace often get rough when someone is going to come up with the short end of the stick. If you become known for creating situations where everyone gets something they want, then youre less likely to be blindsided by dirty politics. This may mean you give a little, or you negotiate with someone else to bring about a posi tive solution for a third person, but in the end, everyone feels theyve gotten a fair shake.4. Dont gossip. Some people equate gossiping with office politics, and thats a big mistake. Gossiping is dishing dirty on another person in order to put down or minimize him or her in some way. Office politics, on the other hand, means understanding the relationships among the people in your workplace, and how they connect to what youre doing and want to accomplish.5. Dont hold a grudge. If someone plays hardball and actually sets out to do you professional harm, then youve learned an important lesson that you need to be careful with this person in the future and not provide another opportunity to hurt you. That doesnt mean you shut down communications. In fact, it means that you stay even more in tune with this person to avoid a repeat performance. What if someone accidentally harms you and seems genuinely sorry? Then you hold to your code of conduct and accept the apology and go on to behav e with professionalism. Remember that if you hold a grudge, then it bars you from learning from the experience and moving on.del.icio.us