Getting Ahead Amid Office Politics
It is not always accurate to assume that employees working for a company work together for the same reason…the company’s mission or purpose. There are times when some employees work for the sole purpose of getting ahead without colleague consideration. Mind Tools (n.d.) states that, “"Office politics" are the strategies that people play to gain advantage, personally or for a cause they support. The term often has a negative connotation, in that it refers to strategies people use to seek advantage at the expense of others or the greater good. In this context, it often adversely affects the working environment and relationships within it. Good "office politics", on the other hand, help you fairly promote yourself …show more content…
This, of course, is an accomplishment in itself. However, if doing what a supervisor requires and doing it the best, success and advancement can be accomplished, and without underhanded tactics. Besides, if a person isn’t used to scrutinizing office politics to get ahead at any cost, chances are, they will ruin their own chances of getting ahead. Being oneself and getting the job done would never discourage supervisors or other colleagues unlike passing off work to a colleague then taking credit for it. In this situation, it would be best to use good problem solving skills to make sure you come out on top. Going to the boss to complain may not be an option. Fryer, Craddock, and Thayer (2008) tell the story of a man in a new position who, instead of trying to do what he can to prepare for a big meeting, looks for the work of the previous employee. Unbeknownst to him, his colleague was moving forward with her preparation for the meeting, which included the information he needed. Instead of working out the problem or coming up with solutions to the problem, he went straight to the boss, which, needless to say, did not work in his favor. (“When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur,” 2008, p. 41-45) Fryer et al. (2008) stated …show more content…
You want personal advice and counsel from me (not as the boss, and without expecting action on my part – it’s your job to solve the problem.)
4. You want to complain about someone. Bring that person along with you, or we won’t have a happy meeting.” (“When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur,” 2008, p. 50)
Had the new employee simply figured out ways to either work with his colleague or get the information he needed for the meeting, he could have overcome the sabotage or negative office politics of his colleague.
Office politics is dealt with in two ways. The direction chosen is the deciding factor for the future of an employee’s success. Employees can advance in their profession amid office politics by working professionally with colleagues, but being smart; keeping up with all the things they do; and making sure to stand out amongst their colleagues without deception. References
Mind Tools. (n.d.). Dealing with office politics: Navigating the minefield. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_85.htm
Fryer, B. Craddock, M., Thayer, R.D., & Kolb, D. (2008). When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur. Harvard Business Review, 86 (11), 41-52
Fryer, B. Craddock, M., Thayer, R.D., & Kolb, D. (2008). When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur. Harvard Business Review, 86 (11),
It is not always accurate to assume that employees working for a company work together for the same reason…the company’s mission or purpose. There are times when some employees work for the sole purpose of getting ahead without colleague consideration. Mind Tools (n.d.) states that, “"Office politics" are the strategies that people play to gain advantage, personally or for a cause they support. The term often has a negative connotation, in that it refers to strategies people use to seek advantage at the expense of others or the greater good. In this context, it often adversely affects the working environment and relationships within it. Good "office politics", on the other hand, help you fairly promote yourself …show more content…
This, of course, is an accomplishment in itself. However, if doing what a supervisor requires and doing it the best, success and advancement can be accomplished, and without underhanded tactics. Besides, if a person isn’t used to scrutinizing office politics to get ahead at any cost, chances are, they will ruin their own chances of getting ahead. Being oneself and getting the job done would never discourage supervisors or other colleagues unlike passing off work to a colleague then taking credit for it. In this situation, it would be best to use good problem solving skills to make sure you come out on top. Going to the boss to complain may not be an option. Fryer, Craddock, and Thayer (2008) tell the story of a man in a new position who, instead of trying to do what he can to prepare for a big meeting, looks for the work of the previous employee. Unbeknownst to him, his colleague was moving forward with her preparation for the meeting, which included the information he needed. Instead of working out the problem or coming up with solutions to the problem, he went straight to the boss, which, needless to say, did not work in his favor. (“When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur,” 2008, p. 41-45) Fryer et al. (2008) stated …show more content…
You want personal advice and counsel from me (not as the boss, and without expecting action on my part – it’s your job to solve the problem.)
4. You want to complain about someone. Bring that person along with you, or we won’t have a happy meeting.” (“When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur,” 2008, p. 50)
Had the new employee simply figured out ways to either work with his colleague or get the information he needed for the meeting, he could have overcome the sabotage or negative office politics of his colleague.
Office politics is dealt with in two ways. The direction chosen is the deciding factor for the future of an employee’s success. Employees can advance in their profession amid office politics by working professionally with colleagues, but being smart; keeping up with all the things they do; and making sure to stand out amongst their colleagues without deception. References
Mind Tools. (n.d.). Dealing with office politics: Navigating the minefield. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_85.htm
Fryer, B. Craddock, M., Thayer, R.D., & Kolb, D. (2008). When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur. Harvard Business Review, 86 (11), 41-52
Fryer, B. Craddock, M., Thayer, R.D., & Kolb, D. (2008). When Your Colleague Is a Saboteur. Harvard Business Review, 86 (11),