Dealing with workplace politics

Even if you’re determined not to get sucked into workplace politics it can still be useful to understand how things work.

Perhaps start with an organisational chart. This will tell you who reports to who and give you some idea of where authority sits and who is likely to make decisions. That said, it doesn’t always reflect who has the most power and influence, nor will it tell you much about informal networks, who’s friendly with who, and where loyalties lie.

To really get to grips with this you might need to spend a little time discreetly observing your colleagues and tune into everyday ‘chatter’ to discern what is happening in specific circles. As well as listening to what people say, it might also be helpful to reflect on the type of language they use, the tone they adopt, the frequency of ‘hot’ topics and in what situations these arise. Over time you may notice patterns and be able to build helpful background insight.

Negative behaviour and game playing usually occurs due to a lack of respect or trust between colleagues, perhaps where relationships are merely transactional or lack any genuine warmth.

Try to build authentic relationships early on. This means getting to know and valuing a colleague’s strengths, bringing energy and enthusiasm to your interactions, appreciating their opinion even when it is different to yours, and being honest in all of your dealings with them.

As your professional network grows and you develop strong relationships, there’s nothing wrong with asking your contacts for help. However, you should always be clear about your motivations and act with integrity.

Being professional is about self-regulation and conducting yourself in an appropriate manner while at work.

Adopting a professional approach can help to counter workplace politics. Here’s a few basics:

• Abide by codes of conduct – make sure you are aware of any that apply to your particular area of work or specialism and observe the values, behaviours and practices it sets out
• Don’t perpetuate gossip – try not to pass things on, especially when it might not be 100% accurate or could be hurtful to others
• Avoid cliques – it’s fine to develop friendships with people you meet at work but try to avoid forming exclusive groups. You should be polite and amiable with everyone
• Exercise diplomacy – be sensitive and tactful in your interactions, particularly when a situation is delicate
• Earn trust – if someone tells you something in confidence or you receive privileged information keep it to yourself
• Curb your emotional response – keep your 'inner chimp' in check and try to remain objective. If you feel your emotions bubbling up take ten minutes out to collect your thoughts
• Choose your words – try to avoid saying anything inflammatory, stick to neutral words and phrases. Remember that whatever you say may be repeated
• Reflect – think about how you handled any tricky situations, what emotions you experienced, what you did well and what you might have done better, and then use this insight to guide your response next time around