Office Politics and How to Avoid Them

There's something sadly inevitable about office politics. Given that workers in an office probably spend more time with each other than with anyone else, strong personalities clash with career ambitions, frequently leading to conflict.

Many people find the issue of office politics unsettling. The unpleasantness of idle gossip, coupled with actions that are often tantamount to bullying, means that career-minded individuals are often inclined to try and avoid office politics altogether. But how is that possible?

It is important to build positive relationships with your co-workers. Be honest, warm and approachable and demonstrate that you will respect and maintain a confidence. Office politics often rely on distrust and confusion. If you are trustworthy and unambiguous in what you say and do, the politicians will normally start to leave you alone.

Refrain from taking part in office gossip. Demonstrating your disapproval could break down relationships with some of your co-workers, so simply distancing yourself from such conversations is ideal. That might mean quietly walking away from a water-cooler conversation or answering a gossip-based question with a polite "I don't know" or "I wouldn't like to say."

Don't be aggressive with your peers, but be firm and show that you will refuse to be drawn on such matters. Gossips quickly abandon people they believe will not share their habits.

Maintaining a professional image means that it's great if you can work well alongside everyone. It doesn't mean you have to be the life and soul of the party. In an environment where office politics are rife, it's far better to maintain a distance from your co-workers. Realistically, they might not be the sort of people with whom you want to socialize, but don't make yourself too remote. There is room for some compromise.

Choose the right relationships. You will very early on be able to identify who the worst gossips and back stabbers are and will therefore be able to avoid them. Never assume that everyone is the same, and actively seek out like-minded co-workers who enjoy a chat and a cup of coffee but don't want it to be at someone else's expense.

Encourage more positive behavior at work. Office politicians are often central to the group's social activities, which can make it difficult to break their grip. Try organizing a night out or a group activity of a different nature, making sure of the support of like-minded colleagues first. Very often, setting the right example can make all the difference, and other colleagues will appreciate your efforts.

Office politics can seem unbreakable and unrelenting and can genuinely spoil an otherwise-strong working environment. Avoiding and challenging these behaviors is not as difficult as it might seem. This is not something you just have to tolerate.