Office politics tips

[BakerStreet]

Let's face it, there's office politics and you need to play the game if you want your goals achieved. This might be more dev time for SEO, which would mean less dev time for product (which will result in you being able to get more done in the year and therefore higher SEO revenue and a higher bonus); or you need to win the confidence of investors, partners, managemers, etc so that you can grow your team and have an easier day at work for yourself. Whatever it is, you need to play the politics game.

Here's some gems I found that were interesting:

1. Figure out your personal goal and your organisation's goals.
2. You need to match the organisation's goals with yours. If you do, you're winning. If you only advance the organisation's goal, you're a martyr and martyrs end up being resentful if people don't appreciate their sacrifices. If you only advance your own goals, you're a psychopath and the group will push you out. If you don't advance yours or the organisation's goals, you're a dimwit and are probably disturbed and need therapy.
3. Make friends and partnerships with people. The social capital goes far to help your goals. Don't be the dimwit that people avoid. You're just limiting your power then.
4. If your only social capital is that you have a lot of technical knowledge, then you're fucking weak within the company.
5. Don't commit political suicide by always complaining or always seeking attention. If it is always you who has problems, it will end up being that you are the problem. Be known as someone who has solutions, not problems.
6. Avoid power games as that's just a distraction from winning your goals. Befriend people who do or limit their influence so that you can get your goals done.
7. All KPIs and accounting are subjective. Make sure it shows that you're doing good.
8. You must accept that being employed means you are not free. That's what asking for employment is. Even if you own your company, you're serving the investors or the customers. There's no such thing as freedom, just my 2 cents.

What are yours?

 

[eliquid]

Let's face it, there's office politics and you need to play the game if you want your goals achieved. This might be more dev time for SEO, which would mean less dev time for product (which will result in you being able to get more done in the year and therefore higher SEO revenue and a higher bonus); or you need to win the confidence of investors, partners, managemers, etc so that you can grow your team and have an easier day at work for yourself. Whatever it is, you need to play the politics game.

Here's some gems I found that were interesting:

1. Figure out your personal goal and your organisation's goals.
2. You need to match the organisation's goals with yours. If you do, you're winning. If you only advance the organisation's goal, you're a martyr and martyrs end up being resentful if people don't appreciate their sacrifices. If you only advance your own goals, you're a psychopath and the group will push you out. If you don't advance yours or the organisation's goals, you're a dimwit and are probably disturbed and need therapy.
3. Make friends and partnerships with people. The social capital goes far to help your goals. Don't be the dimwit that people avoid. You're just limiting your power then.
4. If your only social capital is that you have a lot of technical knowledge, then you're fucking weak within the company.
5. Don't commit political suicide by always complaining or always seeking attention. If it is always you who has problems, it will end up being that you are the problem. Be known as someone who has solutions, not problems.
6. Avoid power games as that's just a distraction from winning your goals. Befriend people who do or limit their influence so that you can get your goals done.
7. All KPIs and accounting are subjective. Make sure it shows that you're doing good.
8. You must accept that being employed means you are not free. That's what asking for employment is. Even if you own your company, you're serving the investors or the customers. There's no such thing as freedom, just my 2 cents.

What are yours?

I'd disagree with #3

And say it's subjective or dependent on the company you are at for #4

 

[Nonbeardedman]

I have a few:

Firstly, study human psychology. Understanding the underlying motivations behind other people's behaviors helps you understand them and their train of thought better. This knowledge helps you mold your own actions to be perceived favorably in the eyes of others. Also, once you have a good grasp on what motivates the other person, you can influence their perception.

Secondly, I would suggest figuring out whether the person you are dealing with is a reader or a listener. Peter Drucker, one of the pioneers in management, stated that everyone can be divided into two types of people: "readers" and "listeners".

If you are dealing with a reader, it is always better to put everything in writing for them, for the listener, orally. When dealing with people, you'll always find yourself being frustrated when a "listener" does not read the instructions you sent them. You'll also find yourself struggling to explain a rather easy concept on call to someone who is a "reader".

Thirdly, understand whether the person you are dealing with reasons emotionally or logically. For many intellectuals, logical thinking is the only adept way of dealing with problems. For others, "thinking with your heart" often leads to better, more fulfilling decisions. However, both ways of thinking are not inherently flawed and should be balanced, as per the situation. For example, finding a romantic partner with a 50/50 arrangement might seem more "logical" but you may find yourself happier with a traditional partnership (working husband/housewife).

Figure out how stakeholders in your organization make decisions and appeal to their line of thinking. Some investors would love to invest in a product that "brings families closer together" whereas others want a product to provide them with a 20% ROI otherwise they're out - no matter how many families they could've helped.

This is more true in certain cultural contexts. Some restaurants offer free food to improve PR, increase brand awareness, and ultimately increase sales volume. Some offer free food as it would please the Lord and vet them many prayers.

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Figuring out people and their psyche can help you better understand them. A better understanding of people can help you influence their actions in a positive way, in a way that all office politics is for the better and promotes a collaborative win-win environment rather than a hostile one.