Ways to Use Corporate Politics Positively for Your Personal Benefit

Everything is fair in love and war, is a very old saying. You must have surely come across it during your younger days, when your best friend robbed you of your favourite toy or friend. The same comes to mind, when you hear the term office politics.

Office politics is all about spreading lies about somebody to degrade them in front of the higher-ups. So, why do people resort to such cheap tactics? Well, if you were told that you along with two of your best friends were chosen for an award.

However, only one will receive that award. It is human nature that, you resort to all kinds of cheap tactics to ensure that the award comes to your hands. Having said that, there is no such thing as good politics and bad politics.

Politics is a bad thing and must be avoided at all cost. However, it so well deep rooted in the system that nothing runs without it. Hence, the best way to deal with it is to understand what it is, and how you can use it for your own benefits, rather than suffering in silence.

Build a Network Of People, Without Trusting Them

The best way to deal and handle politics is to have a huge network of people. Play safe and do not take side, as it will not work for you. However, be present everywhere to know the ground situation in your office.

This is necessary if you are new to the firm. Bonding with your team members, team leaders, manager, and other superiors can come in handy in future. However, not all higher-ups can be considered as helping hands, there are one or two who can be emotionally wound up.

Never talk ill about anybody to anyone in your office; you never know when it will come to haunt you one day. Most importantly, do not burn bridges. Be it your team member, leader, manager, or boss, never talk back to them, gently accept what they say and leave.

Try To Be Brave, But Not Foolish

When you come to know that somebody is playing dirty politics in your office, you are tempted to stay away from him/her. It is good to just mind your own business. However, you will be shocked to find out, that these people have all the juicy information up their sleeve.

Like the saying goes, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer,” is ideal for any office work culture. They are able to manipulate the hardened minds with their sweet talk and are able to get crucial information out of them, which can affect your career.

It is extremely beneficial to know all the hot news and happenings in your office, courtesy of these people. Put on a smile when you see them, but guard yourself from running your mouth. Let them do the talking and you do the nodding.

Never Let Your Emotions Get The Better Of You

When you were studying in school or college, you were young and naïve. If somebody got you caught with the teacher or professor, even for a small mistake, that was not your fault, you would keep prodding on it day and night, until you got your sweet revenge.

Sadly, office life is not the same. You are considered to have matured and focus on developing towards your career goals. However, despite of working towards your goals, you will come across some naysayers who might be your own team members, your HR, your team leader, and even manager.

When things reach the higher-ups, you are in real trouble. You might be accused of things, which you did not do and so on. During these situations, remember, never to lose your cool and be professional. It sounds hard, but the rewards are immense.

A wise man once said, “Time is the biggest healer.”

Summary

Office politics is something we have to learn to face, whether we like it or not. You can either make use of it, to your own advantage or allow it to break you. Being silent in such a situation is not a wise decision because you are letting people take advantage of your vulnerable position along with your silence.

I would like to end this post with a saying from a wise sage, “The trees which are straight are cut the first.”