Running For Office at the Office

Office politics may seem like something best avoided, but to paraphrase the writer George Orwell, “there is no such thing as keeping out of politics,” and there is evidence that choosing to do so could possibly hurt your career.

According to a new survey by OfficeTeam’s parent company Robert Half International, more than half (56 percent) of workers interviewed said involvement in office politics is at least somewhat necessary to get ahead. In order to advance you might have to consider tossing your hat into the ring.

But participating incorrectly could knock you out of the running instead of advancing your position. Being a savvy office politician involves honing workplace diplomacy skills rather than stepping on toes. Following are six tips for hitting the “campaign trail”:

 

• Stick to your principles. Your goal should be to build a sound reputation, not to win at all costs. Maintaining good character and a professional demeanor is the best way to rise to the top.
• Keep it clean. In or out of the office, politics can be a dirty business. Resist the temptation to make yourself look good by maligning someone else’s character. Avoid making personal statements, and keep comments factual.
• Make friends in all places. Success doesn’t come from limiting your efforts to the higher ups; work hard to develop a stellar reputation with all of your colleagues. Be respectful, generous and above all, trustworthy. Neglecting those at the grassroots level could cost you an endorsement down the road.
• Please the crowd. Don’t just make yourself known; get to know your co-workers as well. Take some time to observe their work styles and habits and act accordingly. Adapting to their preferences is a sign of respect and makes colleagues feel valued.
• Don’t side-step protocol. Some rules are made to be broken, but office policy is not. Avoid messy situations by familiarizing yourself with workplace do’s and don’ts, and make a point of not breaching them. If a mishap does occur, address it immediately.
• Do side-step controversy. Politely extricate yourself from office conversations that segue into hot topics, like religion or politics. Avoid discussions that could escalate to heated arguments, and stick with talk that is less contentious.