7 Habits To Win In Office Politics

Office politics – a taboo word for some people. It’s a pervasivething at the workplace. In it’s simplest form, office politics is simplyabout the differences between people at work; differences in opinions,conflicts of interests are often manifested as office politics. It allgoes down to human communications and relationships.

There is no need to be afraid of office politics. Top performers arethose who have mastered the art of winning in office politics. Below are7 good habits to help you win at the workplace:

HABIT #1 – BE AWARE YOU HAVE A CHOICE

The most common reactions to politics at work are either fight orflight. It’s normal human reaction for survival in the wild, back in theprehistoric days when we were still hunter-gatherers. Sure, the officeis a modern jungle, but it takes more than just instinctive reactions towin in office politics. Instinctive fight reactions will only causemore resistance to whatever you are trying to achieve; while instinctiveflight reactions only label you as a pushover that people can easilytake for granted. Neither options are appealing for healthy careergrowth.

Winning requires you to consciously choose your reactions to thesituation. Recognize that no matter how bad the circumstances, you have achoice in choosing how you feel and react. So how do you choose? Thisbring us to the next point…

HABIT #2 – KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE

When conflicts happens, it’s very easy to be sucked intotunnel-vision and focus on immediate differences. That’s aself-defeating approach. Chances are you’ll only invite more resistanceby focusing on differences in people’s positions or opinions.

The way to mitigate this without looking like you’re fighting toemerge as a winner in this conflict is to focus on the businessobjectives. In the light of what’s best for the business, discuss thepros and cons of each option. Eventually, everyone wants the business tobe successful; if the business don’t win, then nobody in theorganization wins. It’s much easier for one to eat the humble pie andback off when they realize the chosen approach is best for the business.

By learning to steer the discussion in this direction, you will learnto disengage from petty differences and position yourself as someonewho is interested in getting things done. Your boss will also come toappreciate you as someone who is mature, strategic and can be entrustedwith bigger responsibilities.

HABIT #3 – FOCUS ON YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

At work, there are often issues which we have very little controlover. It’s not uncommon to find corporate policies, client demands orboss mandates which affects your personal interests. Bitching andcomplaining are common responses to these events that we cannot control.But think about it, other than that short term emotional outlet, whattangible results do bitching really accomplish? In most instances, none.

Instead of feeling victimized and angry about the situation, focus onthe things that you can do to influence the situation – your circle ofinfluence. This is a very empowering technique to overcome the feelingof helplessness. It removes the victimized feeling and also allowsothers to see you as someone who knows how to operate within givenconstraints. You may not be able to change or decide on the eventualoutcome, but you can walk away knowing that you have done the bestwithin the given circumstances.

Constraints are all around in the workplace; with this approach, yourboss will also come to appreciate you as someone who is understandingand positive.

HABIT #4 – DON’T TAKE SIDES

In office politics, it is possible to find yourself stuck in betweentwo power figures who are at odds with each other. You find yourselfbeing thrown around while they try to outwit each other and defend theirown position. All at the expense of you getting the job done. You can’tget them to agree on a common decision for a project, and neither ofthem want to take ownership of issues; they’re too afraid they’ll getstabbed in the back for any mishaps.

In cases like this, focus on the business objectives and don’t takeside with either of them – even if you like one better than the other.Place them on a common communication platform and ensure opencommunications among all parties so that no one can claim “I didn’t saythat”.

By not taking sides, you’ll help to direct conflict resolution in anobjective manner. You’ll also build trust with both parties. That’llhelp to keep the engagements constructive and focus on businessobjectives.

HABIT #5 – DON’T GET PERSONAL

In office politics, you’ll get angry with people. It happens. Therewill be times when you feel the urge to give that person a piece of yourmind and teach him a lesson. Don’t.

People tend to remember moments when they were humiliated orinsulted. Even if you win this argument and get to feel really goodabout it for now, you’ll pay the price later when you need help fromthis person. What goes around comes around, especially at the workplace.

To win in the office, you’ll want to build a network of allies whichyou can tap into. The last thing you want during a crisis or anopportunity is to have someone screw you up because they habourill-intentions towards you – all because you’d enjoyed a brief moment ofemotional outburst at their expense.

Another reason to hold back your temper is your career advancement.Increasingly, organizations are using 360 degree reviews to promotesomeone.

Even if you are a star performer, your boss will have to fight apolitical uphill battle if other managers or peers see you as someonewho is difficult to work with. The last thing you’ll want is to make itdifficult for your boss to champion you for a promotion.

HABIT #6 – SEEK TO UNDERSTAND, BEFORE BEING UNDERSTOOD

The reason people feel unjustified is because they feltmisunderstood. Instinctively, we are more interested in getting theothers to understand us than to understand them first. Top peoplemanagers and business leaders have learned to suppress this urge.

Surprisingly, seeking to understand is a very disarming technique.Once the other party feels that you understand where he/she is comingfrom, they will feel less defensive and be open to understand you inreturn. This sets the stage for open communications to arrive at asolution that both parties can accept. Trying to arrive at a solutionwithout first having this understanding is very difficult – there’slittle trust and too much second-guessing.

HABIT #7 – THINK WIN-WIN

As mentioned upfront, political conflicts happen because ofconflicting interests. Perhaps due to our schooling, we are taught thatto win, someone else needs to lose. Conversely, we are afraid to letsomeone else win, because it implies losing for us.

In business and work, that doesn’t have to be the case.

Learn to think in terms of “how can we both win out of this situation?”This requires that you first understand the other party’s perspectiveand what’s in it for him. Next, understand what’s in it for you. Striveto seek out a resolution that is acceptable and beneficial to bothparties. Doing this will ensure that everyone truly commit to the agreeresolution and not pay only lip-service to it.

People simply don’t like to lose. You may get away with win-losetactics once or twice, but very soon, you’ll find yourself withoutallies in the workplace. Thinking win-win is an enduring strategy thatbuilds allies and help you win in the long term.