Tips & tricks for office politics

[mikegg]

What are some tricks that you have learned or tips that you can provide to help with office politics?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Shower daily.

 

[wirednuts]

Shower daily.

yes. and deodorant. its not for you, its for me and everyone else.

 

[Sinsear]

Don't burn any bridges...play everyone....always look out for yourself first.

 

[Angry Irishman]

Just do your job with some sense of work ethic, communicate well and don't play the games.

 

[Chrono]

Watch out for old people.

 

[linuxboy]

Do good and talk about it.

 

[Black Octagon]

Treat colleagues as you would like to be treated even if they don't do you the same courtesy. Speak your mind when asked but don't stick your nose in internal squabbles that don't concern you. Lead by example, i.e., doing, rather than telling, what is the best way to work.

 

[Printer Bandit]

tell the truth

 

[Ruptga]

Karma doesn't exist. You can stay late and do good work only to be threatened with firing because the wrong asshole caught you with your eyes closed for about fifteen seconds. You can do fuck all but gossip, but be well liked because your coworkers are old women and/or slackers. You can cultivate a working relationship with your boss only to have him publicly humiliate you because his day sucked.

I suppose my comments apply more to life in general than to just office politics, but they definitely apply to anyone that tells you "all you need to do is give it your all." You do need to give it your all, either that or find a place to work that doesn't give a shit, but just because you are a hardworking rational person doesn't mean that anyone else is.

 

[kranky]

At the risk of sounding immodest, check out my old thread about working in an office environment. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=167118 .

Wow, that was 5 years ago. Time to do an updated version in a couple months.

 

[DrPizza]

At the risk of sounding immodest, check out my old thread about working in an office environment. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=167118 .

Wow, that was 5 years ago. Time to do an updated version in a couple months.

And they're good tips. I'd add, if you're invited to a party hosted by anyone above you, go. Even if you don't want to go, go.

 

[edro]

ass pennies

 

[Zeze]

1. I'm a firm believer that if you don't play politics, you lose. Playing politics doesn't mean you're some kind of a greasy snake. Work hard, present yourself well, and network well.

2. Form/join alliances, don't invest all eggs in your boss, get to know lots of colleagues, different bosses, and upper mgmgt, etc. I made this grave mistake, never again in 1 person.

3. Don't just work hard, work smart.

 

[CPA]

Write all of your decisions and your argued opinions down when they were initially communicated verbally. It's called CYA. Someone, sometime is going to twist what you said to their benefit (see looking out for yourself tip above). Be prepared.

 

[saratoga172]

Get everything in writing. People will throw you under the bus so they don't look bad. Always nice when you can pull out an email countering them.

If you don't have it in writing it didn't happen.

Usually works best avoiding going out for happy hour every week. Gossip and such travels and I've seen multiple people get fired just for association.

 

[DainBramaged]

Never say anything in private that you wouldn't say in public or to the person you are talking about.

 

[Kreon]

And they're good tips. I'd add, if you're invited to a party hosted by anyone above you, go. Even if you don't want to go, go.

This, definitely this. And while you are at said party, make sure you drink with them (assuming you drink of course), but do not get more intoxicated than anyone above you. I think the sweet spot is 1-3 drinks behind them, depending on how many have been consumed.

Also, make sure you have things in a recorded manner. Emails, texts, etc. If you ever need to prove anything, these documents are much better than he said-she said.

I would also add, try to stay out of the fray. I've been in two jobs where the shit just went down. I was able to avoid it in one, the other I wasn't. I would say from my experience, pick the side that is (in your mind) right, especially if they have your best interest in mind too. And when shit starts going down, make sure you have an escape plan if necessary.

 

[IronWing]

If you are in a job you like with long term career potential remember that you will be working with these folks for a long time. Courtesy and respect for boundaries and privacy are important and should be a two way street.

 

[sze5003]

Always be on time. If you are working on something and you have to communicate with others, email it. Don't get too friendly with people unless you have been working on that team a long time and they seem to have that type of culture.

You want to go to office parties and gatherings even if you hate them. Just show up and spend a few minute. Not doing this will label you as a non team player.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'd add, if you're invited to a party hosted by anyone above you, go. Even if you don't want to go, go.

This, and even though that may not happen often, you should probably ensure that you go to company picnics, holiday parties, etc.

And yes, this is coming from someone who NEVER goes to company events that are offsite or after hours.

 

[Perknose]

At the risk of sounding immodest, check out my old thread about working in an office environment. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=167118 .

Wow, that was 5 years ago. Time to do an updated version in a couple months.

kranky, I sent you a pm some time ago thanking you for the First Energy electricity deal, and making you an offer, but I never heard back from you.

Did you ever get it?

 

[xanis]

1. Don't burn bridges.
2. Mind your drinking at office parties.
3. Look out for yourself first, because no one else will.
4. Work smarter, not harder.
5. Build good connections and keep in touch after you leave.

Plus all of this:

Always be on time. If you are working on something and you have to communicate with others, email it. Don't get too friendly with people unless you have been working on that team a long time and they seem to have that type of culture.

You want to go to office parties and gatherings even if you hate them. Just show up and spend a few minute. Not doing this will label you as a non team player.

 

[kranky]

kranky, I sent you a pm some time ago thanking you for the First Energy electricity deal, and making you an offer, but I never heard back from you.

Did you ever get it?

I didn't see the notification thing - just read your PM and will get that info back to you later. Thanks for the offer!