Don’t hate the player; hate the game

What you need to know:

Thriving in the workplace while simultaneously navigating competing interests, scarce resources, ambiguity in authority and lack of transparency can feel like being a thirsty zebra at a crocodile-infested watering hole.

Top leaders and co-workers spend years learning to “play the game” and create a trail of drama as alliances are formed, favoritism is shown, credit is taken and people suck-up to one another.

Thriving in the workplace while simultaneously navigating competing interests, scarce resources, ambiguity in authority and lack of transparency can feel like being a thirsty zebra at a crocodile-infested watering hole.

How does one best approach this necessary risk? There are some perceptive managers in our midst who are skilled politicians without having to resort to questionable or embarrassing antics in the workplace.

They take a realistic approach to managing politics at work, and astutely do four things with diligence and thoughtfulness:

Build Strategic Networks – Quality and diversity rein over quantity when it comes to building a strategic network. The most astute leaders carefully connect with the right people to increase their insight and have greater say.

A strategic network helps you to bridge different groups of people and cross organizational, geographical and functional lines.

Your strategic connections should support your understanding of the formal and informal structures so you gather accurate intelligence, insight and support when you need it. Likewise, developing the right network will involve affiliating yourself to the ‘right people’ and cutting ties with those whose values differ from your own.

Consider your connections: What people or functions or groups are your strongest connections? Which are weak or distant ties? Who should be in your network but isn’t? Who knows the people you want to know? With this insight, you can strategically ask for introductions, seek opportunities to get to know and work with key people.

Be a Savvy Observer – Social astuteness and the ability to effectively read and anticipate

situations will allow you to prepare, adapt and tailor your behaviour to your environment. The power of perception will inevitably put you poles apart from your co-workers as you perceptively learn to study the people and conditions around you. Boost your observation skills by paying attention to the nonverbal behaviours of people – body language speaks volumes – get a sense for how people are feeling in addition to what they are saying.

Active listening allows you to hear and understand the perspectives of others – pay attention, hold judgement, reflect, and share. Start to view your workplace the way a scientist would; take a mental note of the things you notice.

Think before you Act – Impulse control is critical to surviving workplace politics; resist the need to always say what is on your mind or jump in with your solution.

People are more likely to be at ease around you when you stay composed (especially when things don’t go your way), this in turn allows you to have difficult conversations, gain support and build your influence.

Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is as important as your IQ; neuroscientific studies confirm that your ability to self-regulate can be developed and improved over time.

Pay attention to your reactions this week: Who and what trigger emotional or impulsive responses from you?

What might be the political and relationship fallout from your actions?

What would happen if you pause to gain perspective and then choose the best response? If self regulation is a big challenge for you, consider working with a coach or mentor to help you identify your hot buttons and find ways to deal with them.

Always leave a good impression – Office politics can get manipulative and the antidote to this is to build trust with those around you.

Be honest and sincere in your relationships and requests to inspire others to rely on and have confidence in you. A lack of integrity will weaken these relationships, bring your credibility into question and undermine your influence.

Learning to manage office politics is an obligatory aspect of leadership development. It’s about building and strengthening relationships, knowing yourself well, having a good sense about what’s going on around you and acting in an authentic way.

Acting accordingly will assist you in getting the resources, access and information you need to lead effectively.