Client Question: “I don’t like dealing with workplace politics. I know that I have to do it to get things accomplished. How can I do this while still being true to myself?”
Workplace politics has traditionally been seen as something that has a negative connotation. Politics happens in most every job no matter where you work. There are people that seem to navigate politics with little to no effort at all, while others have the internal struggle that you are feeling right now. It feels like a game that you have to play. You just want to do your job and get things done. To be effective no matter what environment you are in, you will have to play some politics in order to have success in your role.
What if we try to look at politics as a way to help you be successful? It is just one more tool that you have to get things done. Part of politics is about learning information, influencing others, building relationships and looking for opportunities to get to the outcomes that you want. This article by Stefani Yorges, PhD offers 10 methods to use workplace politics to your advantage.
There are three that have been the most impactful in my own leadership and when I have coached others on this topic:
- Take a stand – have the courage, be willing to stand up for your position and defend it. The key is to stand up for your position even when you are challenged by others. You need to be able to make recommendations and share information even if it isn’t the popular answer. Find your voice and be a thought leader to ensure all sides understand the impacts.
- Learn to give way – there may be times when you need to give in on your position for the greater good. Although you are fighting for what you believe in, it may be something you won’t be able to take forward. Are you willing to “die on the sword” for this decision when it could impact how others perceive you? They may create a judgment about you that you are inflexible and not being a good corporate citizen (that is what we used to call it when you need to give in and do what is asked of you to benefit the organization.) You may lose that one battle, but you can still win the war. Continue to evaluate decisions that are made and ensure that the right things are moving forward.
- Find the middle ground – in most cases there needs to be a negotiation to get to a win-win outcome. You will both need to understand the other’s position and what the overall goal of the organization is to come to an agreement. Are there compromises that can be found to be able to move forward and reach success for both sides?
As you can see by the three that I have listed above, politics can be a challenge, but you can definitely improve how you deal with politics. It may cause you to have some internal conflicts and be a power struggle at times. In many situations, it comes down to having effective communication with each other. Understanding the style of the person you are working with can help you provide information to them in a way that works best for them. Their understanding of what you need helps them give you what you need too. It is also good to understand the priorities of the other person and why they may be acting defensively about something. What is driving this concern they have? Is there another way to mitigate it? Once you understand the underlying challenge that may be happening, it is easier to figure out how to find a way forward that will work for everyone who is impacted.
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