My favorite co-worker greeted me warmly every morning, liked to go for walks at lunch, and often took naps in the afternoon. She also had a tail and four legs. When this adorably puppy stopped coming to work, the atmosphere of the office shifted and I started to notice more politics.
While, it may not be easy to add a dog to your workplace, you can make changes. A good book to help is the “Millennials’ Guide to Workplace Politics: What No One Ever Told You About Power and Influence” by Mira Brancu and Jennifer Wisdom.
The book is broken into proactive strategies with tools to build a network of support and reactive strategies to try before you make a move. Often, the grass is not greener at another workplace – it’s just different players in the field.
If you are ready for a change. Start with yourself. Here are some of the basic rules to consider:
- Never say anything bad about anyone at work to anyone at work. Save your venting when you are at home or with friends.
- Write emails and messages as if they will be shared on social media or forwarded to others including the person you are talking about.
- Be honest with everyone, including yourself.
- Be patient. There may be times a person is working or your behalf to make things better and you don’t even know about it.
- Be curious about your abilities and look for opportunities to improve.
- Remember to be kind always. You don’t know what someone else is going through.
- Practice healthy skepticism. Not everything can be taken at face-value.
- Stop judging. Observe and clarify your own boundaries, not others.
You can do this. Be a force for good. Find your strength, find your people, and make it happen! Got tips to share? Please add them to the comment section below.
FRS Communications 