| |
send page to a friend
Office Politics
Office politics is a term that refers to the way an office runs, and how people tend to work together based on their job responsibilities and hierarchy. Every office has a distinct office culture that influences the ways people advance, how everyone is treated, and how happy the employees are.
Office politics and culture can strongly influence how much you enjoy your job. In order to succeed in your office, you have to observe the culture happening around you and follow suit.
A quick way to gauge office culture is to observe who holds the most power in your office, both informally and formally. Who makes decisions? Who is listened to in meetings? Who has information about the direction of the company? These office leaders are savvy about the organization, and they are successful and influential for a reason. Understanding how they carry themselves in the office is a great indicator of the traits that are valued in your company, and can provide insight into ways you can advance. These leaders are also great potential mentors. By having a strong working relationship with them, you have more of an opportunity to grow professionally.
There are two groups of people you will interact with at work: your managers and boss, and your co-workers. Negotiating many different personalities and work agendas can be like walking through a mine field, but the tips below will help you survive your days at work unharmed.
Your Boss
Your Co-Workers
Your Boss
Your relationship to your boss is central to your success in the workplace; demonstrating to him/her that you are capable and responsible is the single-most important thing you can do as employee. The best way to foster a good working relationship with your boss is through good communication.
1. Make sure you understand what your boss wants, and ask questions if you are confused. Understand your work assignments before you begin working on them- ask as many questions as you have and never pretend to understand the task when you don't. Take notes while your boss is giving directions so you have something to reference when you begin the work. Ask "When do you need this?" every time you are given an assignment. Knowing when work is due will help you prioritize tasks and complete work on-time.
If you have minimal time with your boss, you may be able to get direction by looking at similar work done in the past, or by asking for feedback from co-workers you trust. And, if you are ever unsure about an assignment after you have started it, take the time to go back to your boss for clarification while you still have time to change course.
2. Ask for feedback on your work.
Listen when your boss tells you what you did well, and what you can improve upon. The best way to impress your boss is to learn what s/he looks for in work, and act accordingly. Maybe s/he wants work done fast, even if it's not perfect. Or, maybe s/he is obsessive about details and only wants to see final drafts, after they are spellchecked and formatted. Being aware of your boss's preferences is critical for doing well on the job.
3. Don't complain.
Everyone has bad days, and there is nothing wrong with venting once in a while. But avoid bringing every problem you encounter to your boss- regardless of how much sympathy you deserve. Every boss wants employees that can problem-solve and be flexible in difficult situations.
4. Check in.
It's a good idea for you to initiate conversations with your boss about the work you're doing. It keeps him/her in the loop on what's on your plate, and gives you an opening to ask for direction or support when you need it.
|
It is often the small details that improve an employer's opinion of your work. Here are some tips directly from managers on fostering a positive working relationship with your boss.
1. Don't ask questions you can answer
"I must get one hundred questions a day - the majority are those that employees can answer themselves. They're just being lazy."
Yes, it's comforting to ask your boss when you lack confidence or feel you need approval, but next time ask yourself first: "Will they be able to answer this any better than I can?" You know your job better than anyone else, so be resourceful and think things through first.
2. Solutions, not problems
"It annoys me when people come to me with problems and expect a solution."
Don't go to your boss with a problem if you haven't spent at least 10 minutes thinking of possible solutions. It will impress your boss if you go to them with a tricky issue and then suggest ways to resolve it.
3. Take responsibility for your actions
"I love it when people take responsibility for their mistakes."
There's a right way to do this. The next time you make a mistake, say: "I think this project could have been better." or "In retrospect, I think I should have done it differently." or "Next time I would..." Your boss will be impressed and focus on what you've learned rather than what you've done wrong.
4. Don't get emotional
"I cringe at some emails that get sent by people on my team."
Don't ever send an email in a moment of anger or frustration. It's tempting to reply immediately after reading an email that angers or upsets you. Write your response immediately, but don't send it. Wait at least half an hour, then re-read the original email and your response. Nine times out of ten, you will have calmed down and can send a much more constructive and considered response. Your boss will admire your diplomacy.
5. Go beyond the call of duty
"My pet peeve is when people say 'It's not my job.' We all get asked to do things that aren't strictly in our job description."
Take on new challenges. Sometimes, the best way to find your calling is by trying new things. You may well learn something new and your boss will be impressed by your 'team spirit', and remember that you pitched in to help.
6. Don't pretend to be sick to miss work
"When people send me a text message saying they're too ill to come into work, it's so obvious that they're lying."
Everyone is tempted once in a while to skip work. But remember that you might need your sick days when you are actually sick, and using them when you don't need them is more obvious than you think. On days when you genuinely are sick, call your boss directly to say you aren't coming in.
7. Ask for and give feedback
"I love it when someone from my team gives me feedback on something I've done."
Communication works both ways and we all respond well to positive feedback. If there's something that your boss does that you like, tell him/her. Something as simple as saying "I appreciated your support in that meeting" will make him/her sit up and take notice of how his/her actions affect you. Positive feedback will reinforce the behavior and will improve your working relationship.
8. Stop whining
"There's always one person who complains about everything. It drives me and everyone else mad."
We all need to let off some steam every now and then, but your colleagues and boss will notice if you're always the instigator. Like the boy who cried wolf, how will your boss ever know when there's a real problem? Your boss will respect you more if you pick and choose your battles and steer clear of 'group whining'. 9. Be proactive
"I take note of people who actually follow through with their ideas."
We all have lots of suggestions on how to improve things at work or ideas for new projects. It's no use sending your boss a list of ideas; it's likely that none of them will actually happen unless you also take responsibility. Pick one or two of the best ideas and follow through with them.
Adapted from Ivillage.co.uk. For more information on work skills, office politics, and work life balance visit www.ivillage.co.uk. |
Back to Top
Your Co-Workers
It is very rare to like all the people you work with. Each of us has a different style of communication, and different preferences for how we do work. Getting along with co-workers requires patience, consideration, and a lot of compromise, and some days are going to be easier than others. When dealing with co-workers, remember these tips of interaction in the office.
1. You are rarely alone.
Even if you think no one heard you raise your voice and act rudely to the office manager, they did. And even worse, the ones who heard it likely talked about the interaction later with other people in the office. Being rude to a co-worker, even one time, looks bad for you. Keep your temper in check.
2. People gossip.
It is just a fact of life that we talk about each other. Participating in gossip is an easy trap to fall into, but avoid it at work at all costs. Go home and tell your family or other friends about the crazy outfit Sue from accounting wore- but don't breathe a word of it at work. It's likely to get back to her, and it makes you look petty.
3. Don't complain about your boss.
Spies are everywhere, and the bad things you say could easily get back to your manager. Protect yourself- don't say anything and don't join in when others do.
4. Don't sink to anyone else's level.
Your co-workers may handle conflict with you in unprofessional ways. No matter what someone else says or does to you, remember that you will get nowhere by repeating the act against them. Take the high road- walk away from conflict, and try to talk problems through when you and your co-worker are less upset. Speak calmly and rationally no matter what someone else says to you. And if you feel that a conflict is more than you can handle through calm discussion, report your concern to Human Resources.
Back to Top
|
