Ever been in a meeting where everyone else seems to be making all the right moves but you’re just sitting there and wondering if this is office politics at work?
It can be frustrating—and not just because you wish you were contributing more. It’s also because you know that if you tried to contribute, it would probably come off as too much of an overshare. And that’s never fun.
It’s no secret that negative office politics can be a real grind. You might be the only person who speaks up about a problem, or you might be the one who’s been caught in the crossfire. Either way, it can be hard to stay positive when you’re being talked over or ignored by your coworkers.
But what if there was something you could do to avoid getting sucked into workplace politics? We’ve got some tips for making sure you don’t get stuck in the middle of any drama.
Politics at work can turn toxic if not handled with care.
What are the ways to avoid office politics at work?
Office politics are a real thing, and many people don’t even realize it’s happening. It’s easy to get sucked into the fray of office politics if you’re not careful—and that can lead to you being unhappy at work, or even quitting your job. There are a lot of ways to avoid becoming involved in workplace politics, and they include:
Focus on Your Work
Make sure your work is done on time. If someone else is looking over your shoulder or criticizing your work, they’re probably going to see something they don’t like. So make sure that your work is done and ready for review before anyone looks at it again.
Make Good Friends
Be friendly and approachable. This isn’t a popularity contest; it’s about getting the job done. Be friendly with everyone in the office so that when people need your help or direction, they’ll feel comfortable asking for it—and so will you. Be friendly with everyone but make good friends, people you can trust. These types of friends should not be people who enjoy workplace politics, if not you will be painted like them.
Don’t gossip or backbite
Even though it might seem like fun from the outside, gossiping about other people is actually a way for them to feel insecure about themselves—and therefore insecure about what comes next from their performance reviews. When you gossip, you also end up in trouble when the people you have gossiped with turn their backs on you—the typical internal politics in the workplace.
Don’t take sides
This is easier said than done, but if you don’t take sides, you’ll be less likely to get caught up in office politics at work because nobody will know who’s on which side. This is especially important if you work with people who aren’t coworkers (like clients or vendors) since it’s easy for them to get offended if they feel like their opinion is being ignored or discounted by someone else in the company.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
The best way to avoid office politics at work is by speaking up when something needs doing—no matter what that thing is. If an employee has been doing a great job but suddenly isn’t getting the recognition he deserves, or if an employee has been given an assignment that doesn’t seem like it fits his skillset well enough, speak up about it and ask for help from someone who does have experience in that area.
Be proactive
If there’s an issue at work, talk with your boss or human resources representative about how you can make things better for everyone involved. Don’t wait around for someone else (or yourself).
Conclusion
Office politics at work is a major issue that most people tend to ignore. Avoiding internal politics in the workplace is the best way to thrive better in your career.