Key learnings in Office Politics

Its been eight years working and one thing that has troubled me constantly is my inability to understand office politics. This time I have and I didnt want to miss out on noting my learnings.

In all organisation there are issues and these issues are compounded by three or more people facing the same issue. There is no solution available with your peers and not all peers are there to resonate the feeling in a such a manner that it is heard. These sound bytes are often misdirected. Not that they are not genuine reasons but the issues have no resolution and certainly the people creating the noise are in no position to resolve the issue so the best weapon is to shake a leg with the crowd and get on with your work. Remember you were hired for the work and not the politics. Sometime opinions cost more than you can afford. If you cant be heard why waste your energy shouting.

The arrogance of your boss is not as a result of the years of experience in the field but because of the success he has found within the organisation selling himself. You have to respect his success. So it is yes boss show me the way and I will follow your foot steps. Do what you are hired for. No point complaining. There are no shortcuts to being successful in the organisation. You need to prove your credibility but following the discipline of the organisation and innovating with your prospect ever so silently. Noise is good when made with a rhythm and harmony it is music.

Its your way all the way. Someone has rightly said be prepared to loose many battles before you win the war. Work/business is not an emotional affair and hence an emotional response or an emotional decision is never a wise decision.

When faced with criticism laugh it out with the person raising the question with facts. Don't prove others are wrong but what you have done is right and honest. Please never forget that you are not working for anyone but for yourself. The salary you get is not the reward but the right to take it home. To be right you dont have to prove it. It will prove itself. Not sure if my learnings have come in too late in this organisation but it surely has come. I hope I do not make the same mistake again.

Golden Rules: Shut up and do your work. Sometime no opinion is much better than an opinion.

When in a conflict resolve it with the person directly. Remember talk between two is sorting, between three is arbitration and any more than that is politics. Choose wisely.