Dear Patrice, I have been working at the same company for a few years and have yet to get a promotion or work on any major projects. My work is good but I believe I’m out of the loop. I don’t get invited to key meetings or social things after work, nor do I have any face time with the key decision makers.
How do I get better at office politics?
Every organization with at least two people has office politics. Many people unknowingly step on toes and make potential career ending mistakes by not following these unwritten rules of engagement. Here are seven (7) steps to learning to play the game well and break into the inner circle.
1. Butter up to the boss: Believe it or not, the same strategy that worked for the teacher’s pet in grade school can work wonders for you in the office. First create ways to be helpful and make your boss’ job easier.
2. Be generous in giving genuine compliments to your boss and anyone who is well connected internally AND externally: Deal out positive feedback and compliments and document the ones that you receive. For example, ask your client or customer who just told you how much they love your work and they could not have pulled it off without you to kindly put their praise in writing. Then ask them to send the email or letter to your boss and boss’ boss.
3. Create a relationship of trust and respect with your client or supervisor: Extend one-on-one positive feedback and comments via emails and conversations. However, do it only occasionally in meetings or large groups.
Perfect the phrase “that’s a really good idea/question/point.” Don’t overdo it because people of any age can tell if you’re talking BS and simply telling others what they want to hear.
5. Avoid stepping on toes: Often the best way to succeed at work is to avoid negative attention like encroaching on someone’s position or area of responsibility. For example, something as simple as setting up a meeting with a senior leader in another department or location, without first asking and then CC'ing your counterpart who also works directly with that individual, can make your colleague feel threatened or even so mad as to “come for you” moving forward.
6. Don’t tell people everything that you are thinking: Whether it’s sharing your reasons why someone’s idea WON’T work in a staff meeting or telling others that this is your first time working on a particular type of project – STOP! Stop sharing all of your thoughts with others in the workplace.
7. Be very selective about who you confide in and associate with: Find ways to word and communicate even negative feedback or comments in a positive light.
As you navigate the ladder in your organization or industry, pay careful attention to office politics and the unwritten rules of succeeding in that environment. This week embrace rule number one of politics, start “campaigning” for yourself by giving (and receiving) positive feedback with your boss, colleagues, clients, and associates on a regular basis.
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