Why Avoiding Office Politics Isn’t Always the Best Option for Your Career
Imagine that you’ve worked hard to prepare for a promotion . You took on a job that you were more than qualified for because you believed in the company, took projects that no one else wanted and pushed them out of the park, and even mentored new teammates until they became self-sufficient stars. But despite your hard work, another obstacle may stand in your way: office politics.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
If you’re like most people, you probably avoid office politics whenever possible. Earlier this year, I asked 169 employees how they currently deal with it: 20% said they were trying to ignore it, and 61% said they were reluctant to play the game and only “when needed.”
But if you tend to ignore office politics, consider the consequences. For example, maybe your team will freeze you, because you quickly perform your job (and made her look bad in the process), taking into account the subtle responsibilities your boss after that, how you are asked not to take responsibility for your work. , or asked to cancel your presentation so that an elected senior manager can make his own. Ignoring these situations can help you get through a hard day at work without confrontation, but it can throw you back towards your long-term career goals.
As career writer Erin Burt states, “Giving up (office) politics in general can be fatal to your career. Every workplace has a complex system of government, and you can – and should – work with it ethically in your best interest. ”
Nina Simosco , who leads global technology strategy and operations at Nike, Inc. When it comes to office politics, Shimosko warns, “There is no way out. Once you start working with a team, you will experience it for yourself. I’m not a fan of politics, but I realized that ignoring them can have negative consequences. ” She insists that learning to work with office politics is vital for leaders at any stage of their careers . “It can determine whether you are successful in your career or not,” she said.
It’s true: Research by the Center for Creative Leadership has shown that politically savvy people have better career prospects, better career paths, and are considered more promising . In my experience, I have found this skill to be a significant blind spot for aspiring leaders who tend to focus on strengthening managerial and technical ability but ignore this important form of social intelligence. But to do so would jeopardize their very careers.
So what can be done to make office politics more pleasant and understandable? Answer: Develop your political savvy skills.
Gerald Ferris, Sherri Davidson, and Pamela Perrevi, authors of Political Skills in Action : Impacts on Labor Efficiency , insist that political skill is not necessarily manipulative. When used “correctly,” they say, “it produces good results for both those who use it and the organizations they work for.” They identified four competencies for politically savvy people:
1. Social discernment
How aware are you of the social and political climate of your organization?
Strive to become something of a “corporate anthropologist” by observing the relationships between colleagues and superiors and paying attention to informal social networks.
For example, who created strong informal social networks and who were marginalized? How was this relationship built and what is the glue that keeps it going? Or, if the relationship is broken, what went wrong?
By observing the communication and relationships that surround you at work, you may find that those who negotiate competitor stock prices with the VP of Finance are more likely to be assigned to special projects. Or, that instead of hiding when the team gets competitive, you better stay there, keep up with them, and ultimately earn their respect.
2. Interpersonal influence
Every organization has people whose influence goes beyond their salary level. Do you know who they are?
Look for people who are not necessarily in high-level positions but are capable of delivering results. Who is the driving force and shock in your organization, and what can you learn from how they achieve their goal?
For example, you may find it pays to attract influential supporters before expressing the opposite opinion on a global newsgroup conference call . Or that the real decision-making happens in the cafeteria line 10 minutes before the meeting.
3. Networking capabilities
Once you’ve identified these influencers, make a strategic network plan to build stronger relationships with them .
Include also connectors – people who find themselves at the center of social media that extend outward, upward and downward. And pay attention to which leaders are known for their talents.
Consider your most important career and leadership goals. Is your network made up of influencers, connectors, and advocates who can help?
4. Sincerity
As you do all of this, remember not to become someone you can’t stand when you look in the mirror. Amy Cuddy , an assistant professor at Harvard Business School who has studied the characteristics others look for in their leaders, suggests that “warmth is a channel of influence.” You must communicate genuinely and build trust before you can lead.
Developing these four qualities will help you stay in touch with politically charged situations. Instead, you will be able to rely on your social intelligence by quickly reading situations and reflecting on your own. As you do this, you will become better at handling office politics and, as a bonus, you will get more promotions.
Why Avoiding Official Policies Can Harm You More Than You Think | Muse