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Tips for Surviving Workplace Politics

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Tips for Surviving Workplace Politics


(Excerpted with permission from 30 Ways to Shine as a New Employee by Denise Bissonette. Copyright 1999 Milt Wright & Associates, Inc., www.miltwright.com. 800.626.3993.)

1. Company get-togethers are not the place to relax and say what you really think of the company health plan, your workload, or your boss's new haircut. Use good judgment inside and outside the company!

2. Never complain about your boss to your co-workers or to someone in another department. Find a way to bring your complaint to your boss directly.

3. Stay out of people's personal business and avoid fighting other people's battles.

4. Accept that if your boss or supervisor thinks something is important, you should treat it like it is.

5. Never pass on to other people what someone tells you in confidence— even if they didn't ask you to keep it secret.

6. When others complain about a boss or co-worker, don't add fuel to the fire. It would be smarter to somehow change the subject.

7. Don't take things—even little things— from work. It is stealing.

8. Never ridicule anyone, even as a joke or to make a point, even if he or she laughs too. Avoid telling jokes or stories that could offend someone even if the person is not present.  It could get back to them or offend someone who is present!

9. Question authority, but question it to yourself until you have some authority.

10. Know that what you say may not be what the other person hears, and what you hear may not be what the other person means. When you have a falling out with someone at work, check it out with the person so that misunderstandings can be cleared up.

11. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Do what you say you will do.

12. Learn to say very little about things you know nothing about.

13. Never assume it is okay to swear, even if others do.

14. When you make a complaint, focus on the resolution you want to see rather than on the details of the situation that are bothering you.

15. Never say anything at work you wouldn't want your boss and co-workers to hear.

16. Take what people say about each other with a grain of salt. There will always be those who will try to color your thoughts and feelings about other people. Be your own judge of character.

17. Avoid speaking when you are very upset. You can always decide to go back and say something to a boss or a co-worker later, but you can never unsay what you've already said.

18. Most of us have mastered the art of complaint in all its variations: gripe, groan, moan, whine and grovel. Don't pollute your work environment with complaints. Instead, ask yourself, "What would I like to have changed in this situation?" Suggesting the change will get you better results than spreading the complaint!

19. If you believe you're a victim of sexual, racial, age or religious discrimination or abuse, tell your supervisor. If he or she is unwilling or unable to help, tell the next person up the line of command.

Excerpt reprinted with permission only. Copyright 1999 Milt Wright & Associates, Inc., (800) 626-3993. Click here to visit the publisher's Web site. NOTE: You will leave the FASTEN Web site.




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