While interacting with other people in the workplace, everybody has their own style of behavior. Whether we are consciously doing so or not, we are all playing politics just by interacting with others.
Let's talk about a topic that's as ubiquitous as the office coffee machine – office politics. Whether you're a newbie on the block or a seasoned pro, dealing with office politics can sometimes feel like traversing a tricky jungle.
But fear not! We're here to guide you through the wild terrains of different office politics types and how to emerge unscathed (or at least, with minimal scratches)
1. The Gossip Game:
The office gossip is the person you will always find in the staff room or anywhere where there is a chance to gossip. The office gossip cares more about having the chance to gossip, than they care about the impact that their gossip can have on others in the workplace.
2. The Thief
The thief will take any opportunity they can to take credit for work, even when someone else has done all the hard work. This person will not waste an opportunity to benefit from other people’s efforts if it advances their own cause.
3. The Power Freak
The power freak is the person who sees themselves as the rightful boss or manager even when their role does not match the authority they demand and that they consider themselves worthy of. They might delegate and hand out tasks, even though it is not rightfully their job to do so.
Sometimes the power freak does work hard, and they deserve the power, but they boss others around even when they shouldn’t, including outside of work at work social events.
4. The Snake
This person will not worry about the company structure but will instead focus on being friends with important people. The snake can be someone who aligns themselves with their boss and is the first to run to the boss at every opportunity.
This person is sometimes also known as a sycophant, meaning that they go over the top in aligning themselves closely to people of importance to further their own cause.
5. The Clique Member
The clique member tends to form a clique with others, and they reject and exclude those whom they feel do not fit in with their clique. Without being in this clique group you might feel excluded and less in tune with the in-crowd as it were, in the workplace.
6. The Restrictor
The restrictor is the person whom you cannot approach for several reasons. This group includes volatile individuals who are afraid to approach due to uncertainty in mood and resistance to change, making it difficult to discuss even small changes with them.
7. The Ruler
The ruler is the person who sticks incredibly rigidly to all the rules and who thus shows little flexibility and lack of adaptability.
8. The Schemer
The schemer is the person in your workplace who will take any information that comes their way to manipulate it to their own benefit. This individual uses gossip and information unfairly to gain an advantage, often disguised as a charmer i.e. seems to be really kind and sweet and being critical behind colleague's back.
9. The Lobbyist
The lobbyist likes to try and change other people’s minds and will try and push other people to follow.
Top 5 Tips to handle negative politics
The best way to handle office politics is to be aware of the different types and to avoid the negative ones. Here are a few tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to the dynamics of your workplace and the different power players.
- Build relationships: Get to know your colleagues and build relationships with people who can help you succeed.
- Be proactive: Take initiative and get things done. This will show your boss and colleagues that you're a valuable asset.
- Be positive: Avoid gossiping and backbiting. Instead, focus on building positive relationships and helping others succeed.
- Be professional: Always act professionally and avoid doing anything that could damage your reputation.
If you find yourself in a situation where you're being targeted by negative office politics, it's important to stay calm and to document everything. If the situation escalates, you may need to talk to your boss or HR department.
Remember, office politics is a part of life in the workplace. By being aware of the different types and by following these tips, you can handle office politics in a way that benefits you and your career
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