Company Politics?

[DesertFalcon]

Does you have to put up with a lot of extra stress due to a politically active workplace?

In other words, are your fellow employes manipulating the system to their advantage?

I have found, if management stay on top of things and outlines the duties of all it's personnel, it tends to reduce the political maneuvering. If, management doesn't manage then all hell brakes loose.

What are your experiences?

DesertFalcon

 

[Timebuilder]

It depends on how much the boss likes you.

Simple.

 

[bart]

Unfortunately, in organizations with 3 or more people, you will have politics. The best way to avoid it is make sure you have a clearly defined job, and that what is expected of you to advance or get pay raises is in writing.

Sometimes managers will not do this, so I would recommend that you do it. Here is how. Schedule a meeting with your supervisor. Bring paper and pen to make notes. Ask what is expected of you, you may have to ask alot of questions to get a job description. Write it all down. Then ask what is expected for a salary increase over the coming year. What is expected for promotion. What skills are you expected to develop to make the next level.

You may have to just about do the guys job for him. But, you will have what you need. Take your time and write everything from your notes out in a concise and well thought out memo. Get some friends to read it over that you feel have good written communication skills. Then sign it and give it to your boss.

I suggest you open with "Thanks for meeting with me to clarify my job duties and what is expected of me to progress. I have read over my notes and this is my understanding. Please let me know if there is anything that needs revision or if I left something out."

You might just look at this as a management training opportunity. One day this skill will come in handy.

Good Luck with it, let us know how it goes.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

It depends on how much the boss likes you.
Simple.

Some may say that is over simplification but it is a reality. What is frustrating is the ivory tower is in denial that it exists (at least at my company).
Overall, my company does a pretty good job of defining responsibilites, etc. Still doesn't stop the politics though. In fact, I see more "politics" in the higher ranks than in the "lower" ranks. Kind of like the guberment and the laws or a contract - there will be people out there trying to find the loopholes.
Bart has a good suggestion regarding defining roles but when it comes to promotions, pay raises, etc. it helps to have the support of your boss and/or company. If isolate yourself (either by design or by accident) it is harder to get noticed when it does come time for raises or promotions. It just people being people.

 

[DesertFalcon]

I haven't found a company yet that doesn't have some sort of political prejudice toward some pet employee.

Another thing I have noticed, if you stand up for your beliefs in front of the boss, you will be targeted for destruction! Suddenly, your file will have complaints from the dark shadows of time appearing from nowhere; It's happened to me.

Sometimes, I think people are just plain jealous and have to try to put you down to make themselves feel better!

 

[bart]

Another thing I have noticed, if you stand up for your beliefs in front of the boss, you will be targeted for destruction!

Very true. People do not like to be told they are wrong, particularly in front of groups. They tend to get angry and even. Find a way to make it the bosses idea, and you will go far.

Supporting leadership is critical in being successful.

This does not mean being a lap dog, that is NOT supporting leadership, that is being a yes-man.

It means going the country mile to help leadership when they are making mistakes. It means hard work to help fix mistakes when blaming would be the easy way out. You will find when you are in a leadership role that it is the people that do this that will have your respect and you will want to promote.

 

[Salty Dog]

If you "stand up to your boss" in front of other people, you are an idiot and deserve what you get.

Even if your boss is wrong, and then even if he knows it, for him to capitulate in front of the rest of the crew would be an open invitation for subordinate confrontation on every issue most of which would be b.s.

I would ask, what do you really expect them to do about what you're confronting them on? "well, gee, Bill, you're right and I'm sorry - I'll be sure to submit every one of my future decisions to you for review so this won't happen again and even though my productivity will go flying down the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ter, at least you'll be happy!" ? Dream on.

If you hope to achieve anything, meet in private, on your boss' turf, stick to the facts, and conclude with a recommendation that gives him an easy out that will be mutually acceptable. Any thing else is inviting failure - and your resultant diminished respect.

Call it politics if you want, it's human behavior 101.

Remember, if you & your boss have a personality conflict, he has the personality, and you have the conflict.

Words to succeed by.