Office Politics Survival Tips

Q.        I've never been good at office politics, but I notice that those who get ahead in our company seem to "market" themselves regularly. I've never admired "politicking," but am I missing an opportunity?  If so, how can I fire up my career, and still keep my integrity intact? —Miriam C.

A.        Many managers tell me that they spend at least 20 percent of their time networking, building relationships—"politicking." These are just some of the words for the process of getting to know the people you work with, and learning how to work effectively with them. This is critical for personal and job effectiveness. Used this way, "office politicking" is a fact of life— a way of connecting to important issues and people faster.  And successful managers know they can't succeed unless they build solid relationships with people they work with and depend on.

Your career—or your next promotion—starts with you. There are many ways to get ahead. Consider these:

Know the Territory

Learn the formal organization structure:  who reports to whom, and why.  Then look at the underground organization—who relates well to whom, who goes to lunch together, who shares a car pool.  Watch what's going on around you and listen to what people say about "how the game is played."  Watch how the successful higher-ups act and dress.  Try to emulate the best you see—without becoming a clone.   Ask yourself, "How did they get there?  What can I do that they did, that could put me there, too?"

Know Yourself

Choose jobs and situations that play to your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. If you’re weak at planning, try to put yourself into positions where you don't have to do a lot of planning.  If you’re strong on problem-solving, look for ways to do more of it—and get credit for it.

Perform Well

You'll never get anywhere until you perform your current job exceptionally well.  Review your previous performance appraisals.  Check to see where former bosses pointed out opportunities for growth.  Then build a plan for improving.  You can't convince anyone that you are ready for more responsibility unless you show that you can handle your current responsibility in a superior manner.

Stay Current

 Read widely in your field—books and articles crucial to your company, its products, and your career. (Get in the habit of summarizing a book or an article on a 3" x 5" card for handy reference later on.) Reading at least one such book a month in your field is a realistic goal.

Let Your Light Shine

Be proud to sign your name to your work—to take credit for it.  Put your name on whatever you can--reports, committee minutes, proposals, correspondence—when you're involved.  When you're part of a task force, let other people know your role in the project—especially your boss. Get yourself on committees or task forces.  Give your higher-ups a constant stream of ideas that will solve their problems.  Talk to your boss and others about your ideas, then follow up with helpful memos. Sending your boss a one-page summary of your accomplishments for the week, and your goals for the following week, is a valuable tactic, as well as a permanent record of your contributions.

Help Others to Look Good

Look for ways to praise people openly and honestly in front of others.  Support them.  Accept the differences in peoples' habits, values, work styles.  As long as they contribute what they're supposed to, and do what they can, make them feel good.  People perform better when they feel good about themselves.  And we like to associate with people who make us feel good about ourselves.

Gain Acceptance of Your Associates

You can't force your way into a promotion.  You need the support of higher-ups as well as co-workers. This means being respected for your accomplishments and the way you handle people.  You must be clearly perceived as a leader—someone people normally turn to for direction and ideas.

Turn Your Boss Into Your Coach

Sit down with your boss and find out what he or she expects of you and develop ways to meet those expectations.  Then, do more than is expected.  He or she must see you as practically indispensable.  You can't make it to the next level without your boss's support, so work hard to gain—and keep it. If your boss won't support your career goals, either change your goals or change your boss.