Office politics and backstabbing are common issues that can be dealt with through several steps: 1. Focus on job performance and showcase results to the right people. 2. Directly address issues with individuals, or discuss problems with management if the person is not receptive. 3. Maintain a professional demeanor and build rapport with colleagues and management to overcome illegitimate political behavior.

1. O rganization
P olitics &
B ackstabbing
How does one deal with office politics and backstabbing?
KASBIT MBA (W)
By:
Mirza Shoaib Baig 5207
0092-3227971360

2. How does one deal with
office politics and
backstabbing? Imagine
At work there are many who side up to the
that a
boss and do things that please them. Most of the colleague is
time achievement of such people is also to
showcase others shortcomings (and not their own engaging
strengths!) When you know someone is running
you down slowly but surely, what can you do?
to
illegitimate
Every organization should cultivate a climate/environment where
backbiting and politics cannot survive. All employees are expected
political
to be mature individuals who are more concerned about behavior
productivity and growth (of the organization as well as themselves)
rather than indulge in such silly antics. towards
This is a very common situation in offices. I have you. What
been through this and I can understand this
steps might
situation. Having said that, I was able to come out
of this situation by following some basic things: you take to
reduce or
1. Put in all your efforts to perform your JOB well.
Showcase the results to the right people. eliminate
2. Talk to the person directly (if the person is this
receptive). In case the person is obnoxiously
arrogant / not open to listening or talking. Move to
behavior?
Step 4.
January 28, 2011
3. In case the person is willing to talk to
you...explain..."I like the way you give your opinion
and feedback on various things to the
Boss...however, I was just thinking, sometimes
your feedback sounds like a severe criticism and
might not be constructive...can we be more

3. constructive while giving feedback or commenting
on each others work...". Try to work out a solution [Type sidebar
and try to build a working relation. content. A sidebar
is a standalone
supplement to the
4. Talk to the people who matter...explain your main document. It
situation in clear manner ..."I feel, so n so gives is often aligned on
good feedback on various activities that we do, the left or right of
however I sometimes feel certain feedback might the page, or
take the morale of the team down / is not located at the top
or bottom. Use the
constructive / doesn't focus on solutions. What do
Text Box Tools tab
you think about it? How do you think we can to change the
improve? ..." formatting of the
5. The outcome of this discussion should be fruitful. sidebar text box.
Type sidebar
6. Win the confidence of the management, content. A sidebar
showcase good results, buy in support of the peers is a standalone
and boss. supplement to the
main document. It
Alway conduct yourself in a professional manner, is often aligned on
they might be siding up to the boss, but the boss the left or right of
will also note who is gossiping and who isn't. the page, or
located at the top
or bottom. Use the
Text Box Tools tab
to change the
formatting of the
sidebar text box.]
January 28, 2011

4. I think it's a grand illusion that people grow up and begin
acting like true adults. Gossippng and back-biting seem just
as prevalent among adults as in kids. Not until we learn to
respect others and foster a sense of self-worth in ourselves
What
will we stop making ourselves feel important at the expense of factors, in
others.
Here are some more factors which help in
addition to
creating grounds for backstabbers and lead those cited,
to illegitimate political behaviors:
do you
Early—Pretending to be a Manager believe
Here are some behaviors to help identify these managers lead to
early:
illegitimate
Decisions about even minor issues are difficult to get.
political
Managers are paid to make decisions. The first warning sign
is if it is difficult to get a decision from the manager. When behaviors
an unpopular decision is made, passing the responsibility
away from himself, is another early indication that this person such as
is not competent.
backstabbi
Success is declared early and by proclamation.
ng?
Alternate perspectives are not fairly considered.
Responses are dogmatic and serve to end the discussion.
Criticism is often harsh. The criticism often degenerates into a
personal attack, particularly when the other person is not in
the room.
Speaks differently to subordinates, peers and supervisors.
The difference is in both tone and content.
January 28, 2011
Encourages secrecy, particularly with like-minded cronies.
This withholding of information allows the manager to distort
the situation.

5. Don't be discouraged by Organizational Politics!
Learn how to influence without authority and advance in your
career and your organization ... Do you
believe it is
Benefits of the Political illegitimate political behaviors:
Political illegitimate behaviors provides you 2-3 times* the ever
likelihood for career success indicators such as:
justifiable
Bonuses
•
• Merit Increases
to engage
in
• Choice Assignments
illegitimate
• Promotions
• Career Satisfaction political
Using the Political illegitimate behaviors behaviors
such as backstabbing: such as
The Political illegitimate behaviors is grounded in the backstabbi
hard facts of today’s business realities. Technical
expertise is necessary but often not sufficient for success ng? If so,
in business. Fortunately, you don’t have to sell your
soul to get ahead. In fact, despite those locked into a what are
negative stereotype of organizational politics, mastering
organizational politics is a crucial aspect of leadership. some
The sad fact is how so many intelligent people don’t
understand how acting ethically can actually increase conditions
their influence. It provides ‘shark repellent’ to avoid
becoming victimized by organizational politics. that might
Political Savvy also works with top leadership levels to
turn competitive turf wars into collaborative teamwork. justify such
It also provides a way to create a realistic productive
culture in ever changing global competitiveness. behavior? January 28, 2011
Negative organizational politics
hampers creativity, productivity,
fairness, motivation, teamwork, and
a host other critical issues that
almost everybody knows but is not
allowed to speak about in the
official hierarchy.

6. • When employees feel discriminated against, abused or
unappreciated, they may resort to one or more of the following
harmful options:
o Defecting to competition
o Resort to sabotaging the company, e.g., by sharing
confidential information with competitors or the media
o Employees may become emotionally distant and have no
interest in the success of the company
o They will display passive-aggressive behaviors, become
uncooperative, work less or produce substandard results
• Key talent will leave the company. Good honest workers generally
don't have the skills or disposition for functioning in a highly political
environment.
• Company develops a reputation for being political and an unpleasant
place to work, making it more difficult to recruit good talent to
compete effectively.
• Employees will lose faith and motivation. When the leadership comes
up with good initiatives, they are met with skepticism and resistance
The Bottom line: Business performance will suffer.
The worst thing that could happen to a company is the staff loses
confidence in the leadership team.
January 28, 2011

7. In addition
to the
obvious
negative
effects of
illegitimate
political
behavior on
victims, such
as those
described in
the above
case, what
might be
some
negative
effects on
the
perpetrators
? On the
organizatio
January 28, 2011
n as a
whole?