Office Politics, by definition is the use of a persons's individual or assigned power within an organisation for the purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one's legitimate authority. These advantages may include access to tangible assets or intangible benefits such as status or pseudo-authority to influence the behaviour of others.
Simply put, office politics is the management of people by intentionally manipulating, either positively or negatively an outcome to favour one's own or both parties' benefit. And don't be mistaken, it doesn't just happen in big corporations, office politics can take place n companies of any size-even one that only has three staff.
DIRTY POLITICS
Negative or destructive office politics generally begins in an organisation that is not firmly anchored in its core values and guiding principles. When the vision, mission and strategic objectives of a company are vague, it invites personal interpretation. Ambiguosly written job descriptions unclear roles, overlapping or gaps in responsibilities, incompetent staff, or lack of personal accountability and integrity are the perfect ingredients for negative office politics.
The outcome of negative office politics is a weakened management structure, which allows under-performing individuals to capitalise on the lack of controls and systems for personal gain.
Studies have shown that negative office politics can reduce productivity,diminish trust levels, affect morale and increase internal conflict. It drains employees' energy, wastes the organization's resources causes merit to go unrewarded results in loss of valuable talent and in the worst case scenario drives away business opportunities.
If not rectified decisively, office politics can spread in an organisation and begin a vicious cycle like cancer briging disastrous consequences to both the organisation and its employees.
Examples of negative office politics include:
* Back stabbing and lack team spirit
* Pushing the blame on to others and finger pointing
* Lack of personal integrity and accountability
* Favouritism and preferences based on personality
* Accomodating individuals who do not deliver results
THE POWER FOR GOOD
On the flip side, office politics can also be positive force in the workplace. For instance, it can be unblock barriers to change produce greater organisational cohesion and create greater buy in yo key projects.
Positive or constructive office politics doesn't happen by chance. It is encouraged through principled and authentic leadership, corporate cultural factors. such as congruence between corporate values&management practice, transparency, thriving in an environment in which ethical & honest behaviour is rewarded and self-serving political behaviour is penalised.
Whenever there is ambiguity or change that is not clearly understood or accepted that is not clearly understood or accepted by the organisation, the management must step in quickly and communicate effectively to clear the air
It also help it staff have self-awareness, aptitude, the right attitude, technical competence to deliver results , awareness of the organisational and political landscape, personal authenticity, honesty, integrity, relationship-building skills to create win-win outcomes, sound analytical skills and an ability to interpret the formal, informal, internal and external power plays.
Examples of positive office politics:
✿ Networking and building trust through strategic alliances
✿ Nurturing reliable, dependable, mutually-beneficial working relationships with individuals or groups within and outside the organisation through both formal and informal channels
✿ Working with individuals aligned to the same set of principles and values and focused on delivering results based on merit and performance
✿ Each individual is fully accountable and personally responsible for his/her own results
✿ Each ind is fully accountable and personally responsible for his/her own results
✿ All parties involved in the relationship think win-win and believe in teamwork
✿Organisational resources are maximised and optimised to deliver higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness
Office politic is a part of corporate life, so there is no escaping it even if you are one of the top management. In order to stay alive in the corporate politics arena u must be
true to urself,
strive to achieve personal authenticity and have long term view of where u want to be. Here are some tips to help you manoeuvre the choppy waters.
1.
Be amiable The easiest way to avoid probs is to get along with everyone. U can be pleasant and profesional, but be assertive when necessary. This also means staying clear of choosing sides in any politicking
2.
Maintain professionalism Don't allow emotions to get the better of u in situations of conflict or disagreement. Seek to understand the reason for the other party's comments or actions, clarify the issues and try to find a resolution. Focus on the issues, not the person.
3.
Look at the both sides Think in terms of "How can we both win in this situation?". Strive to seek a resolution that is acceptable and beneficial to both parties. This will ensure that everyone is truly committed to agreed solution.
4.
Be diplomatic Assert and express ur views in a respectful and tactful manner. In our culture, communicating in a tactful committed and diplomatic way can make a lot of difference.
5.
Stay away from gossip Gossipping only drains ur energy and wastes valuable time, which u can use to achieve better things. Just concentrate on ur job and let ur work and actions do the talking.
6.
Document things Document something that was verbally agreed on can be a life - saver. It can prevent any political dispute, like "he said........u said..." Documentation is also effective way of highlighting ur own accomplishments, which can help u during ur performance evaluation.
Source: Kevin Tan,Graduan 2010
notes:Fren...
this entry is special for u..
think carefully ok!..jgn lupe pd Allah..solat ISTIKHARAH itu penting..
some people might think u make some rush decisions but whatever ur decisions i will support u..love u fren..♥ ♥ ♥
