No matter how much you avoid office politics, you cannot ignore it in any workplace.
When there are people from different backgrounds together at the workplace, they are bound to have different personalities, viewpoints and behaviours.
While you do not need to get involved in stressful and dirty politics at work, but it is important to know how to set clear boundaries and effectively handle such situations which can even cost one their job.
So here we list down some effective ways to handle dirty office politics and stay professional even in stressful situations. Read on to know more.
1. Do not take sides and stay neutral
If someone comes and gossips or badmouths about someone else or your boss to you, try to ensure that you don’t engage much and set boundaries with them. Do not get carried away with their talks. Instead, say something on the lines of ‘maybe he/ she is having a bad day’ or ‘ we all are learning and can make mistakes’. This way, it would subtly send them the message that you aren’t interested in engaging in such small talk. They can also not misquote you in their dirty politics and gossip.
And if you find yourself amidst such politics or office drama, then avoid getting emotionally involved or reacting impulsively. Stay calm and professional, even when other’s are being rude to you. This helps build and maintain your reputation at the workplace.
2. Document everything
In many cases, political dramas happen because of a communication gap. To avoid this, start documenting things that have been said and discussed in office meetings and send them across to your boss and colleagues. The idea is that later if someone backs off from what they said, you can always refer to the documentation. Keeping a record of important conversations, decisions, and any questionable behaviours you faced can also help in providing evidence if you are ever accused by others and you need to defend yourself.
3. Keep the right company
You’ll often notice that there are certain people at the workplace who are very negative and they always say bad things about others. It is wise to identify such gossipmongers early on and stay away from them. Your company defines you and so it is important to stay with positive people, have a growth mindset, and from whom you can learn.
4. Understand the power dynamics and build strong alliances
It is important to form positive relationships with colleagues at all levels, which includes people who are not in your immediate team. This is important as these people can provide support, give advice, and even help if the office politics get difficult at the workplace. Building strong professional equations can also improve your reputation at work. Such people can also help you stay informed about the latest happenings at work too.
5. Stay calm and focus on your work
While office politics is bound to happen at any workplace, how you respond to it is what truly makes a difference. Instead of getting dragged into office drama, it is important to stay calm and focussed on your work. Delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines, will add to your and your team’s success and everyone will take note of it. Let your work speak for itself, instead of getting negatively impacted with office politics. This will add to your integrity, professionalism, and reputation at work.
