Office politics: playing the game

it is good and readable material which is aplicable and affordable to me

managers are not born they are made.when we came in to this world we dont know how to stand,how to sit,how to talk we learn everything by practical experiences so managers also they learn everything by observing,learning,teaching.

playing the game,it's rather having a cover otherwise you prostitute yourself to get cover not to mention loser vs winner of what? however we are not here for ever? thank you.

This article for me was very interesting. If you substitute the words "stakeholder management" instead of "politicking" then the emphasis shifts but the core remains true.

Every one of us exhibits this behaviour to a smaller or larger degree, I fall into the "loser" catagory in this article,but, if |I choose to pitch my "great" idea to the Boss when I know he is likely to be in a good mood instead of bad one, surely I am as guilty as the politicking predator, only the magnitude is less but the intent is the same.

The very fact we have hierarchy in management structure gives rise to ambition, however small and we all play the game in some form.

I went through the Leadership Development Programme in my Company, part of this programme had Senior speakers giving their view on Leadership and how they had risen, the common factors across 10 speakers were:-

Preserve your integrity and reputation It's ok to blag/lie to whomever to achieve the results you need - high risk but pays off well if not busted

For me it is down to personal ethics, my ethics remember the cliche "remember the butts you kick on the way up, they are the same ones you will kiss on the way down".

The article is correct and my view is its down to the choices we make depending on our own ethics versus risk to reputation. This determins how high we do or don't rise.

Its dog eat dog out there.

The politics that Rob is talking about are more subtle than many of the comments have recognised. Sometimes it's just a case of one person having what another wants and using influence to achieve a goal - - that can either be constructive or selfishly motivated. It is the selfishly motivated kind that we tend to have trouble accepting. The story below is a story of politics (use of influence) and counter political moves that fortunately, in the end, had a happy ending for me. The antagonist in my story wanted what I had, and I wanted to keep what I felt was rightfully mine. So both of us used politics out of self-interest. Here's my story: I'm one of those 'nice' people who almost got done. I had to get smart quickly and learn how to play the game or lose a great career break that I had won fairly due to my ability, experience and education. The problem is, someone else wanted the learning opportunities that had been promised to me at the time of my employment, and she wanted the visability that went with my role and from my hard work and achievements over a 1 year period. I had done the hard intellectual work and I believe she wanted to take over (although it was being pitched as for 'her development' of course). The red flag for me was when she asked me to go to lunch with her. In over a year of working for the company she had never shown that level of interest in me before. Previous employees had mentioned on leaving not to trust her, especially when she was being extra nice.

As I said earlier, those development opportunities were why I took the position in the first place. I was still growing into my role and doing a damn good job, but I was now being asked to hand over the learning ops. The person in question had neither the education or experience to do my job, but what she did have was influence over a boss - she was the favourite and that was evident from their interaction. Rather than watch my career opportunities go to someone who used her closer relationship with the boss and therefore position of influence (whilst complaining to colleagues about him), I got smart. I could read the writing on the wall and knew that in six months if I took no action, I would likely be made redundant or want to leave because my role was not living up to the promises made. So what did I do?

I got my work out to a broader audience (including my boss' boss via another snr manager) to gain support and raise awareness of a major project I had begun working on. I traded on my established credibility and on the good relationships I had nurtured throughout the company over the last year with other snr and influential management. If I was going to be forced out then I didn't want her taking credit for my work and I hoped questions would be asked.

I had to hold my own when my competitor tried to ambush me and demonstrate her leadership in my position by publicly announcing at a dept meeting long-term decisions in my role without talking to me first. To my horror, she was negatively impacting that major project I was working on with her public announcement. I got a roasting because I dared to disagree with her in public but fortunately the stunt backfired on her because she only ended up demonstrating her inability, and also made our dept snr management look foolish for siding with her publicly when it later transpired she had made a mistake due to her lack of understanding.

I believe my colleague was trying to assume control of my role, bit by bit, with the support of the boss and I was being labelled as unco-operative and not a 'team player' for resisting (I had been hired as the organisational expert in that field). For example, she was pushing hard to bring in external resources which she would then manage (her friend's company) and this accounted for approx 1/3 of my role. She had already been given another chunk of my role and was getting involved with the last remaining part and making decisions on that with the boss, without me present. I got the sense that I was starting to be managed as a problem. I felt I was was being given a choice of stepping aside quietly and ultimately leave the company or fight and I chose not to be a victim (although I had begun an exit strategy so as to leave on my terms and not when it suited them i.e: after I had done the intellectual work she couldn't do, but would want to take credit for).

My competitor ended up leaving the company suddenly when it was becoming apparent she wasn't going to get what she wanted and she wasn't able to live up to her many declarations of being a 'hi-potential' (which is why she was being given my development ops). The tasks of my role that had already been given to her, she had failed to step up and do and I suspect the boss was starting to distance himself. She left citing 'stress' and pointing the finger at the boss.

Her role was made redundant a couple of weeks after her exit..........Multiple people have commented since on the improved climate of our department (because she wasn't that good at her own job). I think the boss learned a thing or two also. We now have a better professional relationship, although I'm still a little wary. I know him to be a political animal (constructive and self-interested) and I suspect his role in this episode was more than he will ever admit to publicly.

Out of this experience I've learned some things about myself. I will step up if I need to and I can survive in a competitive environment. I never considered myself this type of person before, but I've toughened up. Let's face it, not all organisations are sweetness and light and one big happy family whose people would never do anything to disadvantage another (may I work for one like that one day). Organisations are political and therefore 'irrational' for the simple reason that many people are motivated by self-interest (it's why the wiffm principle reigns supreme) and for the rest we are motivated by the need for self-protection. Of course, it is preferable that people only use influence for the collective good and, by and large, I like to consider myself to be this type of influencer, I'm just wise to and experienced of the less desirable types of influence now.

I'm reassured about my ability to read the political landscape. My instinct told me something was going down and in the end I was very right to be worried. When it came down to it, it was either going to be me or her to leave eventually. She crumbled first and I got to keep the job that I had won on merit.

At least now I can get on with doing my job to the highest standard I can. That major project I was talking about earlier? It is now included as a key goal in the organisational strategic plan (published) for our Division. In searching for information for that project, I came across this article.....

This article struck a chord with me because part of it is true. However, it does reflect the philosophy of Social Darwinism without taking into account that the vast majority of people go to church and engage in spiritual practices which contradict evolution. I personally think that what comes around, goes around. I also think that most people can see through politics and read the truth behind the veil. We all just want to be happy. Go around work all day and try to make people just a little happier and you will go far. Don't be fake though, just be yourself, but be nice to everybody. I mean show them that you genuinely care about them and soon before you know it, you'll be the guy/gal on top and people will be saying, "hey, that guy is truly a great leader, not some suckbutt that gave blows to get to the top."

If we view this article from the point of survival of the fittest then we are not fair to those who lack the wherewithal to lobby. What I can understand from the intent of this article is that employees should learn to play unhealthy office politics as the end justifies the means. My understanding of this piece of write-up is that workers should play the politics of lobbying for juicy rewards or position against the fairplay and equity. Politicking to the detriment of employees who are hard-working and waiting for a fair pay, justice and promotion is unfair. To avoid workplace conflict that will lead to low productivity and ethics violation, employers should strive to be fair and give no room for the type of politicking envisaged in this article.

Article is really excellent. It explains all the aspects o and working condition at work place. More over it teaches workers, the way to survive at the work along with the way to get promoted. When you read this article you will realize that you are under the same condition regardless of the job position and the company you are working for.

I think we loose sight of the essence of this article when we focus on a debate on the morality of Office Politics,.... It's really simple, 'If you want to get along with people, you need to step back and understand them and not seek to please them but be considerate of them in your actions'. This thought process drives your actions and people feel loved and naturally you earn favours....

I really don't support what is explained here but one thing we can understand after reading this article. There are 80% people thinking this is true which we can not ignore. If we don't look at this angle and only believe there are no politics and they won't effect us in any way then it is not so useful. We have to be aware of politics and should always find the best ways to be nutral and concentrating completely on how to grow. This is required because every one will be having target to reach the top and at top how you behave the same way will be followed by all. So we have to decide which is the best and how the others should be.

Wow...this is really true. At one point in time, I worked in an office environment where there was a lot of negative Politicking going on, and even though I am not one of those people who gets involved in the commotion, I often found my name being brought up in negative situations because I didn't "take sides" or get involved. In a way, it almost seemed like my silence, gave my former co-workers a reason to want to target me.

It's really sad to say but the article is true. It is especially true with regard to people who have no personal life. People who have no true identity except for work and what is going on in other peoples lives. One of the commentors remarked that this sort of person has to expend so much energy in order to live this way. This is also truth. This is a way of life for these people and they politick through every scenario of their existence, they should really be pitied.

My company is a small company. We don't have office politics. This is because, every week we have a meeting called " Work In Progress' (WIP). During WIP, we have feedback session. Feedback session is a session where every individual will give either positive or constructive feedback to a person.

Lying, cheating, and backbiting want get you any where my friend. You may be poor, and you may be always sidelined but at the end of the day- you will sleep better at night. The amount of effort that is expended by people who use dirty means to rise up is in it self a punishment for them. They are always afraid, perturbed, and anxious. they never rest. Always on the look out. Honest people have confident in their ability, in themselves, and they know their job very well. They will always be employable and wanted.

I think you just wrote this article to get a rise out of readers and get a lively debate going. Politicking gave us Enron and all the other immoral companies that stole from their employees and stockholders, made several countries go into Iraq, and allow companies to sell toxic products and then lie about their research. I would rather be on the street any day than follow that crowd. I have left a job before due to the politicking and will do it again. The tide is changing on this type of thinking but it will always be a fight when greed is involved.

Your article is excellent.The only thing is office politicians are diverse,intelligent and clear about their objective depending upon the industry they serve and the culture of the ir country.People play politics : 1.to drive their point 2.to score over others 3.to demonstrate their power.Unfortunately majority in our country play for no.2 and 3.The organizations do not gain anything from them.Yet they are rewarded.The politics is dominant in upper middle management than middle.That is why organizations sustain.I am happy to say that these trends are dominant in Mfg industry and not much in IT industry.

Politics are innate to humanity. I think that this is a word that is often taken out of context and so often has a negative connotation. The word politics, as it is formally defined, is the method in which groups of people make decisions. There are many factors that drive groups of people to make decisions. In the office, there are basically two categories of decisions; personal and business. We weigh all of the decisions that we make in the work place off of one or both of these two categories. Understanding how to effectively appeal to both of these categories is what makes an effective and successful person in business. If the scales are tipped in either direction there will be complications. Those that appeal more to the business side of decision making are the so called hard workers that get overstepped. Those that appeal to the personal side of decision making with little to no business value are the ones we define as snakes. Success in the corporate workplace means balancing them both.

Office politics are alive and well. I have personally encountered the most animalistic, status seeking, brown nosing, back stabbing, vindictive individuals in the work place. It took years for me to realize this is a necessary evil if you want to move up the corporate food chain. If you don't want to be trampled, you have no choice but to play the game. "Nice guys finish last". That quote could not be more true. Play smart, play subtle but play strong & stay hungry. It should pay off in the end.

I think Rob's comments are only partly true. I have seen people try 'politicking', but come across as being shifty and actually don't get the promotion that they expect. I've also seen people sneer at those who do the schmoozing, but end up so cynical and lazy that they probably don't deserve to be promoted! The most successful organisations are also the most motivational and meritocratic (South West Airlines, WL Gore etc), and they recruit and promote good people. The bigger problem in management is that there is a stubborn, cultural refusal to make the links between management practices in these companies and their commercial success, to the extent that investors and analysts even try to persuade such employers out of their good habits.

After being in my new job for about a month, my female boss told me that I barely got through the interview panel (which consisted of herself and two male bosses) she had to 'speak up for me' because I was too serious She told me that the trick was to smile more and flirt a little because that's what one of the male members of the panel, her boss, liked in another female candidate.... (!) I somehow don't think this was a 'requirement' for male interviewees.

Office politics is a fact and reality of our lives and the author is or appears to be on the face of it quite correct in thier statement that nice people tend to be the losers. This is highly unfortunate for employers and other meaning well individuals within these companies. organisations should be about valuing diversity and respecting individuality. How many companies have the words "respect" "Bi-culturalism" "Communication" "Integrity" etc etc in thier values, mission statements and service standards and then compare those to your own experiences of how they actually treat their staff. If you don't fit the mould of your peers, don't walk the walk and talk the talk they do, smooze, socialise or hang out in the "right circles" then you are placed immediately on the outer. It doesn't matter that you live by the organisations values and have your own set of values and ethics. What matters, it appears in reality, is that you don't play by the often arogant, self centred rules of those managers and leaders in the organisation who you report to or work closely with and thus are automatically placed on the outer.

It is a shame that office politics are used to shaft good people rather than used in a good way to sharpen the ability of the team and the organisation rather then enhance ones own personal crucade. How ironic I end with crucade, the catch phrase of the local rugby team in Christchurch, one which is supported by some of those dispicable smoozers and self centred managers that are the political, unchecked monsters of today's so call staff friendly employer.

A good writer so to say judging from the your article about office politics (OP) that has refused to convey any professional teaching or argument as I guess you intended couple with the stand you tend to take by making us see reasons why success can not be achieved by being a ''Purist'' until one's hands are soiled with the dirt of the dirty game of OP. I recall having seen a number of good employees (purists as you call them) who earned so much respect even from the so called office politicians and management of their organisation and well rewarded for their upright stand in some of those good organisations. I disagree with your generalisation of OP-You also failed to mention here that it does not work in all cases and with all bosses. I am sure there are still some good Managers out there who understand what it means to put up a ''Performance Act'' in the office, you can not have your way with such managers even with this well articulated but not convincing module of OP. Where do you draw the line between OP and circumventing the organisation laid down rules and policies? You have made me believe that even at your level; you will rather reward those apostles of OP rather than the ones doing their jobs without any performance act.... I dare tell you that OP as you have described is professionally wrong, ethically and morally bad.

I found this article to be honest and a breath of fresh air. Forget political correctness (PC) for a moment. Sometimes PC blinds us to the obvious.

People, at their core, are animals. They are like dogs or sheep. A person must devote their life to a disciplined and consistent spiritual life that is based in acts (and not acts of convenience), in order to truly transcend their "animalness." You all know what I am talking about, because nearly all of you reading this will have character flaws that your are well aware of.

Essentially, we are an animal and we go to work with animals. The goal is to produce money and make more of it than competitors. If your work life sucks, this is why. There is nothing spiritual about this process. The original intent of this process was to make life better for human beings, but what more do we need to make life "better"? The more we "improve" things through business, the worse the world gets. So why are we going to work? Because we have to, to pay our bills, because we are addicted to a consumer lifestyle. If that's not a strong indication of animal behavior, I don't know what is.

Yes, it all sucks. But truth and awareness are the seeds of change. You can see all of for what it is, and work to make your life better. Denying the obvious hurts yourself and others.

Office politics can be turned into an art form, much like Zen Buddhism. Zen teaches one to "destroy" logical thinking by demonstrating the limits of logical thinking. You can do the same with office politics. Destroy the beast. Go to work to be a living example of how to be in the world, and for no other reason. Truth will set you free.

I think that some of the messages that have been left here have missed the point somewhat. I state categorically in the final paragraphs that politicking is merely about scrutinising business relationships. I state strongly the following: "Nor does politicking have to be selfish. You can use your understanding of politics to influence people and achieve goals that are good for the organisation as well as yourself. Even in the most friendly and supportive of organisations, people don't always agree – so having an understanding of politics and how to exert influence can help you to pull people together and achieve outcomes that are in the organisation's best interests too."

I'm sorry that people seem to have misread the point of the article. But while the first few paragraphs are deliberately inflammatory, the final few paragraphs of this article hold the true message of my original answer!

Good luck and thanks to all who have responded!

You know, I have the education, organizational skills, ability to adapt and welcome change. I was dragged into the political game and lost because of my values. I am now without a job (looking) but happier that I don't have to be part of an Agency that is suppose to help the community. Bogus. I did not trust my employer, how could I expect the community to trust me.

I think this is one of the most despicable management articles I've ever come across and I wonder how it can be of any use to any respectable person. I understand that being in business means competition, but I also believe in ethical conduct. Articles like yours just give justification for wrongdoings in the workplace and totally undermine the values of respect, discipline & integrity. The so-called purists are the ones, despite all the odds, who keep true to themselves and their beliefs and refuse to be bought. But you even resort to namecallng them - naive, losers -because they refuse to take on your advice.

Why didn't you just blatantly say - 'Sleep with the boss, tell lies, backstab your colleagues, give bribes, flatter the shareholders, brown-nose the contractors,etc, as to do these are ok so long as you get sexy projects, higher visibility, better promotion prospects, fat bonuses, etc. eventhough you know you don't deserve them.'

It's irresponsible people like you that corrupt and poison minds and the cause for much suffering in the world. You hide behind what you call effective politicking or good politicking as a way to justify, even promote, insincerity & manipulative behavior.

Well, what goes around comes around. I am sure you're also still somewhere in the pecking order. Keep looking over your shoulder. You may find that because of of this stuid article, your partner/daughter/mother/sister maybe sleeping with your boss to ensure that you get that promotion.

Sleep well!

this article is rubbish, the only point it makes is try to outdo your colleagues in politicking and you won't need to do any work. getting over this, it won't even give you a single help on how to do that. just be selfish and stomp on hard-working losers as hard as you can. congratulations!

ps.: wake up, there ARE organisations where people can happily work together and turn the naturally occurring competition into something fun and inspiring

in nigeria for instance it is a well known fact that without politics you go no where but employee do not admit the existence of politics in organization.they agrue contrarily and always attribute their success to hardwork and qualification