How to survive in the office politic?

Sounds a heavy headline, but for those in working environment whether you like it or not, have to admit or not, the office politic is almost everywhere. Hit like button if you agreed. By the way, where’s my LIKE button? ^_^

Well well, my beloved readers who are with enthusiasm reading my blog (I wonder if this is the right word). Thank you for your support. I will look forward to write my blog with a language that everybody can understand. Sorry if before this you have to Google Translate my blog (I mean for those foreign reader who don’t understand Malay Language plus I’m using short form for Malay which hardly for Google to translate. I’m apology for that). Moving forward I will try to write in English and pardon me if sometimes my English is not that good. ^_^

Now back to the topic. Let’s talk how I survive in my office politic, based on my true story. 

#1: Live at peace with others

-              Indeed. The basic rule we have to follow. We come to the office not to find an enemy. We want to earn money for our livings and that’s it. The way I make peace with others is, I don’t make them too close to me. If too close, they will know our secrets, our weaknesses. If they know our weaknesses, then that’s the time the trouble will come.  As you know, bad things always spread quickly. Live peace with others and at the same time do not let your guts down. In contrary, you wouldn’t get people to remember your birthday and celebrate it in your office. Is it a matter for you? But for me it doesn’t matter for people not remembering my birthday or not. ^_^

#2: Be helpful

-              The word “helpful” might be taken advantage in the office politic. You know, sometimes being “helpful” can harm you in the office.  From certain people‘s perpective, if you help other people doing their job, they might think “She/He is so free. Don’t have own work that’s why can help others.” Jealousy and envy will rose. You want to help others but in the end you’re get mess. See? So, what you can do is, you still can offer your help but not too immediate. You can say that you still got few things to finish. Request some time before you offer your help.  This is what I always did in my office eventhough I’m not that fukcing busy.

A: Can you help me on this?

Me: Is it urgent?

A: Not really, but still need to finish by today

Me: Then, can I help you after I've done this? Give me another half an hour before I help you yaa?

A: Owh, you busy eh?

Me: Yerpp, but still can help you a bit. But not for long since I have to continue my work after that.

A: Thank you ya.

Me: Ur welcome.

#3: Stay out of those talk-down-the-boss sessions

-              You don’t like your boss and you start complaining about him/her. Be careful with the person you talk with. He/She might be a spy or tell your boss about your complaint. If he / she find out your complaint, you are definitely a deathmeat. The best person to talk complaint about your boss is the person who never attached with your current organization.  I keep few of my non-office related friends just in case I want to talk bad about my boss. Well, actually my boss is not that bad. So, I don’t have any major issue with him. Only a certain mild issue I feel that he’s being modestly unfair to me sometimes. Other than that, I’m okay with him. I’m still can tolerate his qualities towards me. ^_^

#4: Be a straight arrow

-              Be a straight arrow means you don’t getting involved of any office politic. For example, like my previous entry Foxy Versus Halitosis. You do not sides any squad. Just being neutral and talk to both of them. If they want you to be their ally, be a straight arrow. Like I always said to them. “I don’t want to be in the middle of your both arguments. It’s not healthy for me because I have to entertain both of you.” And that’s the beginning of the bitch-talking each other behind. What I have to do is to listen quietly. Haishhh. . But in the end others will respect you, even if they don't always agree with you. More important, you have a lower chance of being a victim of politics.

#5: Give time and understand the psyche of your colleagues and seniors

-              It is important to be aware of people you are working with. Don’t brainlessly express your thought without understand the whole situations. You have to be careful, tactful and above all you have to be a good listener. Like mine, I always being their good listener. Everyone wants to be heard. If you can just pay attention to people, within a short span of time you will build up their self-reliance in you. When they’re confidence, you can grow their trust. If you understand the people then it is easier to pact with them. Seriously, it’s work out on me currently.

So far, these are some of my tips that I can share with all of you. I hope it may help you in dealing your office politic. Still our life is full with challenges. This is also is part of our life obstacles. So, don’t think too stressly. Every problem has its own solution. It’s just only the matter of times.