Politics in the workplace

Workplace politics can be described as the interactions of humans (workers) with the authority and power. We as humans in all our activities and endeavors always seek power and fame either in good or in a bad way without caring about who is thrown under the wheel during the process – yes, many people are that wicked!

Workplace politics which can also be interchanged for organization politics is the manipulation of powers that rules to make changes that either benefit the organization as a whole or to serve the selfish interest of some individuals in the organizational system.

The political structure in the workplace

The political structure is formally made in respect to hierarchies and levels in any organization starting from the leaders to the subordinates. Each hierarchy has its functions and challenges to take care depending on the organizational size, goals, and resources available to effect change within their capacities. Office politics links this hierarchies or levels together in the form of interaction and information exchange between the levels.

Have you ever gossip about your friends? Yes, we are all guilty. Gossiping is closely related to office politics, but office politics only differs because it is done to gain something in return, i.e., favors, promotion, or even to put themselves in a situation where they can easily control the flow of information and if possible manipulate them to suit their selfish desires.

One of the several downsides of office politics is the issue of undue manipulation which might put the entire organization in a state of jeopardy. Manipulation is a negative skill set that can come to play in any gathering that two or more people come together to interact and most times only the manipulator is aware of whatever is going on. They normally use the indirect or subtle message to get vital information and turn it to serve their intended purpose while putting others at a disadvantage position. Is it bad? Yes, it is, but it is present in almost all organizations of the world.

Office politics is a contending issue in any organizations because the manipulators are most times after their benefits while wasting useful time and resources to the detriments of other co-workers and the organization at large. And it can affect the output of the organization because politics is being played in almost every aspect of decision making process.

Avoiding office politics

It is hard for an individual to avoid politics in the workplace because it is a necessary evil. But, there are some ways to avoid or at least limit its effects on oneself. If you are tired or you are entirely don’t like to be involved in petty office politics then the following steps are to help you out:

Don’t gossip and avoid those co-workers that do.

Don’t base your action on assumption, make use of facts.

Know who you chose as friends in the office and make sure they are carefully and wisely selected.

Don’t assume you know all (you might piss off others).

Do you want to be treated fairly? Then, treat others the same way.

Importance of office politics

We have been talking about office politics in a bad light; I think it is time we share some positive light on it. Shall we? Either you like or hate office politics, it is one of the vital internal organs that keep the organization working. It is responsible for the organization output, distribution of tasks within the organization, enhanced coordination, promotion of workers, decision making, etc. Office politics are not meant to be negative they are good for every organization, they were only polluted by people who played them because of personal gains, emotions, ambition among others which are individual interest driven.

— Samantha.V

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