1. OFFICE POLITICS – LEARN & PLAY
arise roby
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTER
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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
3. ―Office Politics‖ – What is it?
It is the use of one's individual or assigned power
within 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 pseudoauthority that influences the behavior of others.
Both individuals and groups may engage in Office
Politics.
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CENTER
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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
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
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CENTER
9. 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!
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CENTER
11. 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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
12. 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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
13. Case Study – Kissing “Butt”
Is it necessary to succeed?
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14. 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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
15. 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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
16. 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.
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER
17. Observe your Company Culture
Who gets
listened to?
Who has
influence in
decisions?
What is
rewarded?
What is
punished?
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CENTER
18. Office politics – good outcomes?
Achieve worthwhile goals
Gain support for a needed change
Bring an idea to fruition
Have a successful and rewarding career
ARISE TRAINING & RESEARCH
CENTER