What do we mean by politics? It's a subject by itself. The reality is, it's surrounded everywhere, and the whole world is ruled by it. We can't get away with it from the workplace either! It's all about our individual personality and how well we manage it at the place we are in to make our work life comfortable. You will be part of it if you nod, and if you don't, it will be assumed that you were part of the other gang. It will take a longer time for us to establish that we were neutral all along!
Whatever the workplace scenario, being neutral and contributing consistently to the workplace's objectives is what could make a difference for us, at the same time not ignoring it completely. After all, politics is everywhere! Equally, beware of the fact that if we practice politics, there will be times wherein we will also be ruled by the opposition!
From India, Madras
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Whatever the workplace scenario, being neutral and contributing consistently to the workplace's objectives is what could make a difference for us, at the same time not ignoring it completely. After all, politics is everywhere! Equally, beware of the fact that if we practice politics, there will be times wherein we will also be ruled by the opposition!
From India, Madras
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Dear All,
In my opinion, politics is generally started by employees who do not have enough work. Politics germinates out of gossips and rumors.
Generally, politics is an unhealthy culture. However, sometimes for HR professionals, it is a route to seed unpleasant information through these channels. For example, if you have decided to prepare the union office bearers before a negotiation and you have information that the union office bearers are unlikely to heed to your strategy, and you wish that it has to be known to fellow workmen, then you need to seed it indirectly through these channels without revealing yourself.
But in general, politics in organizations kills the morale of employees. Hence, you need to take it head-on.
Whenever you observe unhealthy politics, for example, if you observe that an employee is passing comments on the relationship existing between two employees (male and female), then it would be wise on your part to curtail it immediately. As this will take a nasty turn someday.
As suggested by many colleagues, dealing with politics varies from situation to situation. But you should not be drowned in the process. Beware!
M.V.KANNAN
From India, Madras
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270In my opinion, politics is generally started by employees who do not have enough work. Politics germinates out of gossips and rumors.
Generally, politics is an unhealthy culture. However, sometimes for HR professionals, it is a route to seed unpleasant information through these channels. For example, if you have decided to prepare the union office bearers before a negotiation and you have information that the union office bearers are unlikely to heed to your strategy, and you wish that it has to be known to fellow workmen, then you need to seed it indirectly through these channels without revealing yourself.
But in general, politics in organizations kills the morale of employees. Hence, you need to take it head-on.
Whenever you observe unhealthy politics, for example, if you observe that an employee is passing comments on the relationship existing between two employees (male and female), then it would be wise on your part to curtail it immediately. As this will take a nasty turn someday.
As suggested by many colleagues, dealing with politics varies from situation to situation. But you should not be drowned in the process. Beware!
M.V.KANNAN
From India, Madras
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Hi all,
Don't involve in learning politics. Politics can be created and it can also be destroyed. If by giving a bang-bang to the person involved in politics, it can be stopped, but you should have the guts to do so.
Regards,
Rajasekar
From India, Coimbatore
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Don't involve in learning politics. Politics can be created and it can also be destroyed. If by giving a bang-bang to the person involved in politics, it can be stopped, but you should have the guts to do so.
Regards,
Rajasekar
From India, Coimbatore
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I agree with Rohitmgulati! Come what may, professionals and politics can't be separated.
Assertive communication, win-win situation, communication models, and all the similar jazz are bookish matters; the reality is harsh and clear that politics is unavoidable! If my boss or any other HOD is playing politics against me just because I didn't favor him, how will win-win etc. come into the picture? I can apply these models; however, the other person has already decided to deal with me in his own ways! These models can be more useful if one is in management and wants to change the culture of the organization; otherwise, it's just apt to be in a book!
Regards, Rahul Chhabra
From India, Delhi
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Assertive communication, win-win situation, communication models, and all the similar jazz are bookish matters; the reality is harsh and clear that politics is unavoidable! If my boss or any other HOD is playing politics against me just because I didn't favor him, how will win-win etc. come into the picture? I can apply these models; however, the other person has already decided to deal with me in his own ways! These models can be more useful if one is in management and wants to change the culture of the organization; otherwise, it's just apt to be in a book!
Regards, Rahul Chhabra
From India, Delhi
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Hi everybody,
Firstly, thanks to all for sharing such valuable suggestions on the crucial topic. Yes, that's true. Moreover, to remove the dirt, firstly you have to get into it. You have to interact with co-workers often to avoid confusions at any later stage. Positive and clear communication works best.
Regards
From India, Lucknow
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Firstly, thanks to all for sharing such valuable suggestions on the crucial topic. Yes, that's true. Moreover, to remove the dirt, firstly you have to get into it. You have to interact with co-workers often to avoid confusions at any later stage. Positive and clear communication works best.
Regards
From India, Lucknow
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ignore the rubbish adopt the good is the right way but it will be difficult to manage in practicle. sumit
From India, Ghaziabad
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From India, Ghaziabad
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first we need to understing purpose of politics, so gether the information to do the best apply for mantra........how controlling and punished them.
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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Dear All,
Managing politics in the workplace is indeed very difficult. Be on the side of truth and justice, and strictly adhere to the company rules and regulations. Be unique and never show any sort of partiality to anyone. Keep in mind always that we are working for the company as one. Understand the management and also your colleagues.
Thank you.
From India, Rajamahendri
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Managing politics in the workplace is indeed very difficult. Be on the side of truth and justice, and strictly adhere to the company rules and regulations. Be unique and never show any sort of partiality to anyone. Keep in mind always that we are working for the company as one. Understand the management and also your colleagues.
Thank you.
From India, Rajamahendri
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What is politics? If it is influencing others and getting things done in your way, then it is very much desirable. Self-praise, showing self-importance, or self-worth is also not that bad. If your means are wrong - like gossiping, self-boasting, implicating others without reason, etc. - then it is bad; otherwise, it is an art. In any organization, one must understand the politics.
From India, Gurgaon
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From India, Gurgaon
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Well, I think that office politics can be pretty rotten at times. But the fact remains, where there are people, there will be politics. Also, one thing you can't deny is that getting people influenced and getting things done are all part of business. So the point is that it really depends on what and how it is being used. What I would say is that it is the behavior of the people that makes politics rotten or good. I will further illustrate my point with a simple example.
Let's say part of what you need to do in your organization is to push new initiatives and get people to. Now you can do this in 2 ways:
- By identifying influencers and people in your company and educating them on your initiatives regarding the benefits of the same.
- Or by stealing credit for your team's ideas and curtailing any opposing views to the initiatives proposed by you.
I don't know about others' opinions, but the first way seems OK, and the second way seems a wee bit sneaky. So I stick to my point that politics is essential to get things done (like it or not). It's the intent of the person that makes it good or bad. Also, it must be understood that politics arise out of a difference of opinion, which may be legitimate or totally without rhyme or reason (I know most of you see the second one). Also, whenever such situations arise, it's best to get these things solved through a neutral third party or someone outside the team.
So how to resolve politics? There really is no simple answer to this, unfortunately. No, it's not as easy as ticking off a checklist. Every situation demands a different approach to conflict resolution. But the things to keep in mind are identification of the problem, and the stakeholders involved.
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From India, Delhi
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Let's say part of what you need to do in your organization is to push new initiatives and get people to. Now you can do this in 2 ways:
- By identifying influencers and people in your company and educating them on your initiatives regarding the benefits of the same.
- Or by stealing credit for your team's ideas and curtailing any opposing views to the initiatives proposed by you.
I don't know about others' opinions, but the first way seems OK, and the second way seems a wee bit sneaky. So I stick to my point that politics is essential to get things done (like it or not). It's the intent of the person that makes it good or bad. Also, it must be understood that politics arise out of a difference of opinion, which may be legitimate or totally without rhyme or reason (I know most of you see the second one). Also, whenever such situations arise, it's best to get these things solved through a neutral third party or someone outside the team.
So how to resolve politics? There really is no simple answer to this, unfortunately. No, it's not as easy as ticking off a checklist. Every situation demands a different approach to conflict resolution. But the things to keep in mind are identification of the problem, and the stakeholders involved.
Source: <link outdated-removed>
From India, Delhi
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