In my earlier post, I had deliberated on the presence of politics at the workplace and the reasons thereof. It is pertinent to keep a mental note – politics at workplace will be always there and it is unavoidable.
The world-renowned philosopher Plato had said, ‘One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’
So, coming to the crux of the matter – how to perform the fire-walk i.e. ward off the evils and the dangers of politics and become successful in one’s career. It depends upon an individual’s capability to properly assess the situation and work out a strategy to handle it adroitly.
(Photo credit: Click here)
Below are some guidelines to keep in mind for this purpose:
1. Keep an Open Mind: When you target a job opportunity in an organisation, you try to take a thorough update about it using the information from the internet and the knowledge availed through your professional network. However, it is quite difficult to judge accurately about its work culture and the workforce from outside. As a result, you are exposed to a big uncertainty and resultant dilemma when you successfully secure the job. Unless you have seen some red flags, the best approach is to have an open mind and a positive attitude while accepting the offer.
2. Accept Your Foes: You can’t please everyone at your workplace. Even if you are a rock-star performer with an impeccable behaviour, there will be a small band of colleagues who despise you to the hilt. They will be baying for your blood and are out there to harm you professionally at the slightest opportunity. Don’t worry and don’t get depressed thinking that how hard you try, you are not able to wi the goodwill of those few colleagues. This is quite natural and a part of human behavioural aspect. So recognise and accept your nemesis; mentally gear up to handle them effectively. Remember Pluto's saying.
3. Maintain Own Identity: Don’t get influenced by the colleagues around you. It is good to observe them, evaluate them and categorise them. But one should not alter his own personality under the negative influence of wrong peers around him. Have your own set of core values like honesty, integrity, learning, team-spirit, dedication etc. and maintain your identity built on the solid foundation of these core values. You will see for yourself how your colleagues and subordinates and even your higher ups treat you with respect.
4. Network – the Support Mechanism: While it is necessary to recognise and accept your enemies, it is equally important not to become the lone wolf in the war front. You will not be able to survive, fighting it out all alone. Every individual can’t be a Chanakya to take on the opponents alone in the battle of wits.
So it is necessary to have your own network of well-wishers, genuine friends and guides; all likeminded people of progressive thinking at workplace. However, one should not rush to create one as it takes time like in personal life to understand people, develop a strong rapport and mutual trust.
Your personal network becomes your support in need, your defence mechanism as well as your navigator while sailing in the rough sea of dirty politics.
5. Mentor – the Leading Light: Having a mentor in any journey of life is always a blessing. A mentor is that person who recognises the true potential in an individual, helps him realise the same by offering invaluable guidance. A mentor helps an individual instils strong self-belief, see with better clarity the path lying ahead and guide to achieve much bigger dreams in life.
But not everyone is lucky to get a mentor. That too, the right guy at the right time. But one has to be on the look- out for the same. For this, he has to identify the Influencers - respectable figures in an organisation, develop a rapport, mutual trust, demonstrate genuine respect to the individual and also do enough to win his liking. If you are lucky, he might decide to take you under his wings.
6. Perform & Be Visible: At a workplace, it is not just about countering politics and potential threats that will make one successful but the first task is to become a high-performer and be visible as one within the organisation. Performance is a very sturdy shield as well as a weapon to counter many negativities at one's workplace. In fact, in the order of priorities, this political engagement ranks much below for a sensible professional.
7. Don’t be a Sitting Duck: Best option always is, to stay away from office politics and other harmful activities, focus on work and go home happy. If you are able to achieve this, there can be nothing better. But as I had mentioned earlier, such idealistic environment is rare and more than often you get dragged into politics unknowingly. Inaction in such situation will not help. You have every right to defend yourself and counter potential threats ready to pull you down or defame you. Don’t be a sitting duck expecting God to help you.
1. Keep an Open Mind: When you target a job opportunity in an organisation, you try to take a thorough update about it using the information from the internet and the knowledge availed through your professional network. However, it is quite difficult to judge accurately about its work culture and the workforce from outside. As a result, you are exposed to a big uncertainty and resultant dilemma when you successfully secure the job. Unless you have seen some red flags, the best approach is to have an open mind and a positive attitude while accepting the offer.
2. Accept Your Foes: You can’t please everyone at your workplace. Even if you are a rock-star performer with an impeccable behaviour, there will be a small band of colleagues who despise you to the hilt. They will be baying for your blood and are out there to harm you professionally at the slightest opportunity. Don’t worry and don’t get depressed thinking that how hard you try, you are not able to wi the goodwill of those few colleagues. This is quite natural and a part of human behavioural aspect. So recognise and accept your nemesis; mentally gear up to handle them effectively. Remember Pluto's saying.
3. Maintain Own Identity: Don’t get influenced by the colleagues around you. It is good to observe them, evaluate them and categorise them. But one should not alter his own personality under the negative influence of wrong peers around him. Have your own set of core values like honesty, integrity, learning, team-spirit, dedication etc. and maintain your identity built on the solid foundation of these core values. You will see for yourself how your colleagues and subordinates and even your higher ups treat you with respect.
4. Network – the Support Mechanism: While it is necessary to recognise and accept your enemies, it is equally important not to become the lone wolf in the war front. You will not be able to survive, fighting it out all alone. Every individual can’t be a Chanakya to take on the opponents alone in the battle of wits.
So it is necessary to have your own network of well-wishers, genuine friends and guides; all likeminded people of progressive thinking at workplace. However, one should not rush to create one as it takes time like in personal life to understand people, develop a strong rapport and mutual trust.
Your personal network becomes your support in need, your defence mechanism as well as your navigator while sailing in the rough sea of dirty politics.
5. Mentor – the Leading Light: Having a mentor in any journey of life is always a blessing. A mentor is that person who recognises the true potential in an individual, helps him realise the same by offering invaluable guidance. A mentor helps an individual instils strong self-belief, see with better clarity the path lying ahead and guide to achieve much bigger dreams in life.
But not everyone is lucky to get a mentor. That too, the right guy at the right time. But one has to be on the look- out for the same. For this, he has to identify the Influencers - respectable figures in an organisation, develop a rapport, mutual trust, demonstrate genuine respect to the individual and also do enough to win his liking. If you are lucky, he might decide to take you under his wings.
6. Perform & Be Visible: At a workplace, it is not just about countering politics and potential threats that will make one successful but the first task is to become a high-performer and be visible as one within the organisation. Performance is a very sturdy shield as well as a weapon to counter many negativities at one's workplace. In fact, in the order of priorities, this political engagement ranks much below for a sensible professional.
7. Don’t be a Sitting Duck: Best option always is, to stay away from office politics and other harmful activities, focus on work and go home happy. If you are able to achieve this, there can be nothing better. But as I had mentioned earlier, such idealistic environment is rare and more than often you get dragged into politics unknowingly. Inaction in such situation will not help. You have every right to defend yourself and counter potential threats ready to pull you down or defame you. Don’t be a sitting duck expecting God to help you.
Chanakya had famously stated nearly two thousand years ago, ‘He who is prepared for the future and he who deals cleverly with any situation that may arise are both happy, but the fatalistic man who wholly depends on luck is ruined.’ So don’t feel guilty of getting involved in politics; it is only an act of defense. ‘Survival of the fittest’ – remember! But do not stoop down to an unethical level like others do.
(Note: Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor who authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra.)
__|||__
To summarise, office politics is unhealthy but mostly unavoidable. Learning to manage it, is important for every individual to be successful in his/her career.
(Note: Chanakya was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor who authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra.)
surviving office politics, office politics tips, secrets winning office politics, office politics quotes
__|||__
How to achieve sustainable career growth
Tips for handling challenges at the workplace
Career tips for recent graduates
How to be successful in career
Overcoming obstacles in your career path
Career articles for students
career advance for students
career guidance for students
Posts
I am extraordinarily affected beside your writing talents, Thanks for this nice share.
ReplyDelete