How to Win at Office Politics

1. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer How to Win at Office Politics What you will need: $30 every few weeks for lunch with colleagues to build and maintain relationships An hour or so a week for breaks, chats, time for help or time to socialize Game Plan: know what your plan is so you can tie the work and the alliance you make to it Allies: Find the people that will listen to your ideas and goals. Remember: People with the power to help may be peers and support staff Chits: What skills or resources do you have that can help them out Thick skin: People may try to block you to advance their own goals don’t take it personally “Like it or not, every workplace is a political environment. But operating effectively within it doesn’t have to mean sucking up, lying, or slinging dirt. In its purest form, office politics is simply about getting from here to there: securing a promotion, seeing an idea come to fruition, or gaining support to make an organizational change. Playing the game well is about defending your position, earning respect, exchanging favors, and keeping your sanity amid the chaos. To get started, you need to know what you really want from work, then orient your political moves toward those goals. It all starts with strong relationships and helping others; those people in return make up the support system that helps you realize your goals.”

2. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Step 1: Figure Out Why (and If) You Want to Play GOAL: LET WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU GUIDE YOUR ACTIONS • Office politics get a bad rap because the most obvious practitioners often do it for the wrong reasons (i.e. ego, like to compete for the sake of competition). Those that play well map out their career or workplace priorities and align their politicking to those goals. • Write down your career goals and priorities, then write down the five things you’ve spent the most time and worry about over the last 6 months. Do they match up? • Prioritize your goals – decide what matters most and start thinking about who you’ll need to persuade or influence in order to get it.

3. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Big Idea GETTING WHAT YOU WANT • The best way to get ahead is not just working hard. Don’t count on being recognized for the extra effort. Be clear on your goals and go after them. If: You want a promotion Then: Find out how to get one – ask your boss what skills you need to demonstrate, document then in an email and follow up If: You want buy-in from another department when you propose an idea Then: Ask for support. Ask them for time to discuss, keep them involved early and often. If: Someone’s blocking you from your goal Then: Stand up to them -- nicely

4. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Step 2: Create Strong Relationships GOAL: BUILD THE PERSONAL NETWORK YOU WILL NEED TO REACH YOUR GOALS. Successful politics starts with relationships: you’ll need your coworkers’ support and respect to accomplish anything. Seek allies from coworkers to administrative staff to senior managers. The following is a few alliance building techniques: • Listen without interrupting. • Acknowledge a colleague’s point of view, even if you disagree. • Offer a favor when you have expertise to share. • Ask questions – help forge friendships by being interested • Don’t overdo it. – Don’t make it to personal, “Employee” is your primary role. • Beware flying solo.

5. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Step 3: Observe and Listen GOAL: GAIN THE INSIGHT TO PREDICT AND AVOID ROADBLOCKS, AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SCORING OPPORTUNITIES • Most important skills for negotiating workplace politics are your own skills of observation • Watch who is getting promoted, rewarded or ignored. • Watch for style – Which personality types are getting ahead • Learn what to work on and what to avoid. For example, are long presentations acceptable.

6. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Step 4: Promote Yourself, Tactfully GOAL: MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE AND INDISPENSABLE The workplace is competitive so you have to compete in order to succeed. Don’t dwell on your shortcomings, focus on what you do best. Look for opportunities for projects that incorporate several departments or that tie to the company strategy. You can show your strengths to a broader section of decision makers. Sometimes you have to toot your own horn. Don’t brag, the key is to show not tell. Here’s how: The Replay: If you have succeeded offer to do it again for another department. Prior success sells your idea. The Handoff: Always acknowledge the team, credit “we” instead of “me” says Renner of Homesphere. The Fast Break: If you meet a colleague in the hallways tell them the work is going really well. They can sometimes help spread the news.

7. How to Win at Office Politics Based on a BNET Crash Course by Kelly Pate Dwyer Step 5: Help Your Colleagues GOAL: GAIN RESPECT AND LEVERAGE, AND GET HELP IN RETURN. You’re bound to need advice, an extra hand, or someone to bail you out of a jam now and then. Do for others and they’re more likely to return the gesture. The political benefit is offering help before someone requests it. Here are some supporting roles you can play: The Ally: Look for the opportunity to help someone. The Fixer: Help a colleague fix a problem they either couldn’t or didn’t want to handle The Mentor: Helping your staff is not only critical in gaining support for your goals but in impressing those above you. The Customer’s Friend: If you have to mediate when two teams or employees disagree make your decision based on what is good for the customer.