A. “I stay out of the office politics as much as I can”, my client vehemently said.  We had been talking about some of the problems she was having in her career and I had asked her about her “political savvy”.  Her comment is something I’ve heard a lot from many of my clients.  This was how a visitor to my web site put it:

“Our local paper published a list of “Rules of office politics” and credited your website.  As I read through them a couple of thoughts crossed my mind:

 1. Many of these points are exactly the quality I despise in politicians (and business).  The “play the game” idea is so widely accepted that even though we are urged to vote for the best person for office, few people believe a truly honest person can win. 

2. Several of the points could very well be attributed to a good Nazi Party member or SS guard.  I was just following orders (playing the game being played, not the one I thought should be played).  I forced myself to do difficult, uncomfortable things, etc.

Then I got to the last point — Be natural.  Develop your own style.  This point negates all the preceding points which I found hard to swallow.”

Here is my response: 

  “Thanks for your comments.  One of the main points I make in teaching people how to "play the game" is that you can do it ethically and professionally, as well as in a way that is natural for you.  Of course, that doesn't mean everybody does - plenty of people play dirty politics, as you point out.  What I have found is that many people reject all politics because some people play it dirty.  I think that is a mistake because politics is part of human nature.  If you want something done, it usually happens through the politics, not around them or despite them.  In other words, the politics is intrinsically neither good nor bad. It is just a simple biological reality of human nature.  I guess it is like science or religion or art or advertising - all these can be used for bad purposes.  For example, how many atrocities have been committed in the name of religion?  The Nazis were one of the first to really capitalize on the power of mass media, but Uncle Sam also used the media to good advantage in fighting the Nazis.”

Q. What do you mean by politics being a biological reality?

A. I mean that social dynamics is as much a part of being human as eating and sleeping.  Wouldn’t it make logical sense for people to work 24 hours a day with no break for eating, sleeping or going to the bathroom?  Well it might make sense if we were machines, but we aren’t machines, we are living things, whatever else we might be.  In the same sense, office politics is part of being human.  It simply reflects the reality of human nature.  For example, people are generally favorably biased towards people they know, like and trust, even when they are trying to be impartial.  The way I think of it, you always have two jobs – your regular job and your other job of chief promoter or chief politician, or chief salesperson for yourself, whatever you want to call it.  Whether you like it or not, how well you do has more to do with how well you promote yourself than just what a good job you do.  For example, if the right people don’t know about the great job you are doing or don’t like you, it would do you much good to being doing well.  Of course, it is probably a good idea to do a good job of both your jobs!

Q. But I’m not very good at the politics.  What can I do?

A. The main reason people aren’t good at it is that they just don’t do it – they opt out and haven’t bothered to learn how.  Hopefully, you are starting to realize that you can play the game and do it in a professional and ethical way.  The rest is just learning the “how to” and practicing it.  Of course, some people are more naturally adept or suited to politics than others.  Fortunately, though, you don’t have to be great at it, just better than the people you are competing with.  For starters, you might want to check out my Rules for Office Politics and Office Politics Reading List.  It might also be worthwhile to get some coaching.  If you think you might be interested in getting help with your career, I do offer a free initial consultation by phone or in person.

Go to: Rules on politics  or Office Politics Reading List

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