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Office politics is a strange phenomenon that can be confusing when you first enter the world of work. In theory, everyone in the company works as a team to reach a common goal, but the reality is different.
Most employees want to advance their careers, and politics is a natural extension of that aim. Factions form, and getting involved in gossip and backstabbing is easy.
It’s best to stay clear of the sniping, and here are some ways to avoid the fray.
1. Identify the Troublemakers
If someone gossips and badmouths other employees, they’ll gossip about you, too. You’re not unique to the backstabbers; you’ll get caught up in their poisonous politics.
Identifying the troublemakers should be easy. Once you have them in your sights, don’t tell them anything.
2. Avoid Gossip
There is obvious office gossip, but others are silent assassins. They pretend to offer a sympathetic ear when you’re having issues with the boss, but the reality is that any information moves straight up the hierarchy.
Say nothing to anyone when you first join a company. The “double agents” will eventually stop soliciting sensitive information from you.
3. Set Boundaries
If the troublemakers continue to involve you in gossip, set a boundary. Tell them you don’t want to get involved, that it’s distracting, and that you’re getting on with your work.
The longer you remain with an employer, the more comfortable you will be with this type of conversation, so stay silent until you can comfortably establish those boundaries.
4. Assume Everything You Say Will be Passed on
If you struggle to keep sensitive office information to yourself, remember this golden workplace rule: Everything you say will likely be passed on to another employee.
Consider this before you say anything. Would you be comfortable repeating that information, or would you rather keep it to yourself?
5. Be a Team Player
Avoiding office politics requires a delicate balance. You don’t want to stand out in the workplace but do want your achievements recognized. One way to do this is to be a team player, collaborate with colleagues on assignments, and help with training, even when you’re not assigned.
Trust is vital for every aspect of a job, and being a team player builds confidence among co-workers. It also means you’ll be less likely to be undermined by colleagues.
6. Don’t Vent at Work
Keep any frustrations you have confidential, whether they’re job-related or otherwise. The best option is to vent your frustrations outside of office hours and in the privacy of your own home.
Shout at the walls or talk to friends, but don’t share your frustrations with colleagues.
7. Be Reliable
Being the subject of gossip is worse than getting caught up in office politics. We quickly build reputations in the workplace, and it pays to give colleagues as few reasons to complain about us as possible.
Aim to be reliable, do things when you say you will, and never neglect a task. Make sure the gossips focus on anyone but you.
8. Don’t Overreact
It’s not a nice feeling to be the subject of harmful gossip, and it can be part of bullying in the workplace. In these circumstances, it’s crucial not to retaliate and switch the focus to those who wronged you.
If you have a grievance, go through the chain of command. It isn’t easy, but if you value your place in the company, think about the long game and rise above it.
9. Avoid the Watercooler
Watercooler moments are the ones most likely to breed gossip and rumor. Ideally, we’d like to grab a drink of water and return to our desk. Some light small talk about weekend plans is ideal if we converse, but the discussions often cross a line.
It’s tricky because you don’t want to appear aloof, so if you get caught at the water cooler, keep the conversation light and brief.
10. Praise Others
Praising and complimenting other workers on their achievements is another way to deflect attention. It shows you’re not arrogant or self-obsessed over your qualities.
That praise goes a long way to building trust among your colleagues, and they’ll likely become aware that you’re not the person who indulges in office politics.
11. Be Punctual
Being late for work or leaving early will make you become a target of the backstabbers. The occasional late arrival may be unavoidable, but make sure it doesn’t become a habit.
Maintaining good hours at work will help you stay under the gossip radar.
12. Support Open Feedback
Those in senior management positions within a company have an extra responsibility to guard against office politics. A transparent communication chain must be in place, and company policy should support and encourage open feedback.
When employees feel they can’t discuss issues without fear of reprisal, cliques will form, and gossip will spread. Keep discussions open and reduce the need for rumor and conjecture.
13. Be Careful with Your Digital Communications
Email and inter-office mail have opened a host of traps for employees. Digital communications mean there are more ways colleagues can get to know your business, so be careful who you “e-meet.”
When sending an email, consider who gets cc’d. When replying, only hit the reply all button if everyone needs to know. And remember: nothing ever completely disappears from cyberspace. If you wouldn’t want to see your email on the front page of the newspaper, think three times about sending it. This is equally true for social media accounts. Some employers keep track of employees’ social media communications, so be careful of what you post.
14. Build Your Support Network
We all make friends at work, and this guide doesn’t mean that you remain aloof from your colleagues. You’ll find people who share your interests or support the same sports teams, and you’ll likely start socializing outside the workplace.
This kind of network can form a barrier against office politics and help keep you away from gossip. Remember to keep the interaction light and social and avoid discussing work as much as possible.
15. Go Through Established Channels
If you have a genuine grievance in the workplace, seek a solution through the relevant channels. Check your contract and identify the chain of command the employer has established.
Even though you may have a trusted support network, avoid discussing your issues with anyone outside that group. Office gossip fuels the problem, and politics may prevent a resolution.
16. Stay Positive
Many of these tips require a positive outlook, and it’s good to maintain that state of mind throughout your working life. Complaining to colleagues might help you vent, but it solves nothing and only gets you caught up in the poisonous web of office politics.
Hold on to that positivity, work to the best of your ability, and avoid negativity in your workplace.
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