Office politics or corporate games exist in any organization. The question is not whether you want to play or not, it is how to play it right. Some play for survival, others for power and dominance. To win is not always to defeat rivals and to lose is not always the end of the games. There are three outcomes – winning, losing and succeeding. Winning is to defeat rivals. Losing is being defeated. But to succeed is to achieve your objectives. Your aim may just be a draw on an equal and amicable win-win point. This way, all players may enjoy survival, and be successful and satisfied.
Here are some tips on playing the game right.
Master your position
Be clear of your own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your rivals. Know your opponents well and never underestimate them. When you lay out your strengths and weaknesses side by side with others, you can plan your winning strategies accordingly.
Master the rules
Be smart on what, how, when and who to play the games against. Be aware of the risks and how far you can afford to go with them. There are no fair rules in most games. Be flexible and realistic in following the rules. Know when to listen, talk, act, compromise, negotiate and be firm. Your intuition may be the best guide.
Be creative and ready to adapt
Plan your strategy. Do you have alternative plans to back you up or to fall back on? Never play from a dead end position. Take a realistic assessment of the price you must pay for the rewards you will gain.
Don’t burn bridges
Try your best to apply empathy and emotional intelligence to keep rivals amicable. When you keep the past clean, the future will be bright.
Win or lose
These may not be your best alternatives. The ideal one is to attain your goals amicably in a win-win draw. Give and take, and compromise with rivals for negotiable terms and conditions that satisfy all. Remember, avoid ego and power struggles but focus on your job survival and success. Be a good sportsman all the time.
Choose the time and moves
Corporate games are like chess. The right timing for the right moves are vital to winning. Your patience, resilience, sensitivity, discipline and strategic planning are essential. It is not strength but when and how you apply it that counts.
Respond, not react
To react is to act impulsively and irrationally which is problem focused. To respond is solution focused with rational solution. Most errors are made impulsively but most solutions arrive from good responses. To respond well is not to fight but to flow with rivals until you gain better positions to win. Minimise your antagonism but maximise your positive personality.
Manage your boss
Establish a good working relationship with your boss. Always keep the boss informed. Do not bring problems to your boss, bring solutions. The best way to get on with the boss is to treat him as a customer. You have to exceed expectations to be a really excellent service provider. People who just meet boss’s expectations are not extraordinary. Reliability is being able to deliver what you promise. Responsiveness is the willingness to chip in when needed. If you are reliable and responsive, your boss will see you as a valuable resource.
Never put too much trust in friends and colleagues
Never speak ill of your company, work, bosses, colleagues or staff
Do not waste a lot of time scheming against others
Focus your goals and priorities
Be persistent
When faced with obstacles along the way, do not quit or look for compromising shortcuts.
Corporate games are not all bad. You can learn to be stronger, better and more fit as you strive for excellence. Remember, the fittest survives and the optimist wins. It’s all in your attitude. If individuals are to live harmoniously with the environment in a natural and simple way, devoid of ambition and aggression, the world will witness a spontaneous flourishing of good fellowship and individuals would enjoy healthy, happy and long lives.
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
