Re: Kevin Easton's request: < Having said that, can listmembers and/or
educators please give me advices on what should I do in order to survive
the job. I really have no idea what should I do and what to do next when
I get into this job for the first time.>
One of the most crucial things to do on a new job is to figure out the
political climate. Here are 10 tips on how to survive office politics
from people I work with:
1. Design a game plan. Be clear about your purpose and objectives.
Decide what you want to accomplish and how you'll do it. Look for ways
to engage in political maneuvers without compromising your integrity.
This plan gives you an anchor and makes it difficult for others to
manipulate you.
2. Case the joint. Who has power and who doesn't? How have people
gotten power? What does it mean to be a winner? What happens to
winners and losers? Whose support can you enlist and how can you
support them? Find out how to avoid land mines.
3. Become adept at using technology. It's a highly prized skill and
developing it will add to your indispensability. People will come to
depend on you for their survival.
4. Be positive no matter how you're feeling. Even if the work
environment seems negative, don't let it get you down. Some days are
tougher than others. Stick with it and do your job.
5. Get used to having difficult people around. No matter where you go
they will pop up. You have to find ways to deal with them. When
problems arise with other employees, never go to someone else to fix the
situation. Approach the individuals and try to work it out, directly.
6. Nobody exists in a place where everyone agrees on everything. There
will always be disagreements. Learn how to disagree without turning
other people off. Practice listening to those who disagree with you
without trying to change their minds.
7. Build a reputation as a problem solver. It's good to know what's
wrong. It's even better to know how to fix it.
8. Network outside your immediate office. Get to know others
throughout the organization. Keep informal channels of communication
open. The more you interact, the better informed you'll be about what's
really going on.
9. Communicate regularly with those in a direct line of responsibility
above you to ensure their objectives are being met.
Never badmouth them. Let them hear through the grapevine that you are
supporting them no matter what it takes.
10. Every once in a while break down a wall and let in some fresh air.
********************************************************************
Susan M. Osborn, Ph.D., Consultant & Adjunct Faculty Member: Chapman
Univ., National Univ., Univ. of LaVerne, Univ. of Phoenix.
Publisher/author, THE SYSTEM MADE ME DO IT! A LIFE CHANGING APPROACH TO
OFFICE POLITICS. Sacramento CA; www.netcom.com/~sosborn/