Transcript Don’t Shake It Up - Southwestern Community College

Don’t Shake It Up
Understand Office Politics
Presented by
Developed by
Dr. Phil Weast
SCC Dean of Student Services
Chuck Reece
Director of Human Resources
and Facility Development
“Office Politics” – What is it?
 It is simply how power gets worked out
on a practical, day-to-day basis among
co-workers.
 It can be either positive or negative.
“Office Politics” – What is it?
 It is the use of one's individual or
assigned power within an employing
organization for the purpose of obtaining
advantages beyond one's legitimate
authority.
 Those advantages may include access to
tangible assets, or intangible benefits such as
status or pseudo-authority that influences the
behavior of others.
 Both individuals and groups may engage in
Office Politics.
Should you play?
 Some experts argue that you can’t
avoid the game of office politics.
 Some say it is crucial to career
success.
 Many say that it causes stress.
Is this just Office Gossip?
 Office politics has the objective
of gaining an advantage.
 Office gossip is a social activity.
 Both activities are highly related
to each other.
Examples of Office Politics
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“Sucking up”/”Brown-nosing”
Being the “Yes” person
Being the office cynic
Giving someone a piece of your mind
An e-mail war (and CC everyone!)
Sleeping with the Boss or coworker
Stealing credit
Gossiping coworkers
Abusive Managers
More Examples…..
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Favoritism
Nepotism
Lazy and annoying coworkers
Betrayal
Sex in the office
False resumes
White lies
Sneaky tricks
and much, much more.
Case Study
 Read the case studies
 Twisted Tornado – link to it
 Under the Bus – link to it
 Kissing “Butt” – link to it
 2 tasks:
 Identify the issue(s) involved
 Determine the action(s) you would
take
Case Study - Twisted Tornado
Case Study - Twisted Tornado
Ways to Deal with this Situation
 Accept the fact that bad people do get
promoted.
 Understand that you are at risk by
voicing your displeasure in public.
 Be mindful of your focus – do your best
work and remain professional always.
 Emulate parts of her behavior –
Network!
Case Study – Under the Bus
Haloed Coworker Throws Others
Under the Bus
Case Study – Under the Bus
Ways to Deal with this Situation
 Stay calm and fact-based.
 Take it one step at a time in your attempts
to deal with her. Marathon vs. sprint
 Make attempts to include her - often!
 Sit down with her with the purpose of calmly
discussing an observation or giving feedback
from a non-threatening position.
More Under the Bus…
 Consider that she basically means well.
With this approach, you are likely to
come from a place of offering help rather
than getting provoked into an angry
response.
 When all else fails, lay low, stay out of
the line of fire and document behavior.
Case Study – Kissing “Butt”
Is it necessary to succeed?
Case Study – Kissing “Butt”
Ways to Deal with this Situation
 This is an opportunity for growth.
 You’re undervaluing yourself.
 Coworker is good at networking You have to get better!
 Being friendly with the Boss is not
‘kissing butt’ – try being nice.
 Research other job opportunities or
apply for the supervisor job yourself.
How to Win at Office Politics
What you will need…
 $$ - Money every few weeks for the
occasional lunch with a colleague to build
and maintain relationships.
 Time - An hour a week for coffee
breaks, lunches, and impromptu chats in
the hallway — time for you to offer help,
ask for it, or socialize with people whose
relationships you value.
What you will need - continues
Tools
 Game Plan: Know what you want to accomplish
so you can tie the work you do - and the alliances
you forge - to those goals.
 Allies: Find the people who will listen and support
you. Remember: those with the power to help you
may be peers or support staff.
 Chits: Before you can ask your allies for favors,
you first need to give them genuine support. What
can you offer that will have real value to them?
 Thick Skin: People may try to block your goals to
advance their own. Don't take it personally.
They're not out to get you - just to save
themselves.
Observe your Company Culture
 Who gets
listened to?
 Who has
influence in
decisions?
 What is
rewarded?
 What is
punished?
Office politics – good outcomes?
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Achieve worthwhile goals
Gain support for a needed change
Bring an idea to fruition
Have a successful and rewarding career
Understand Office Politics
Questions?
Thank You!