Office Politics - How to Deal with Workplace Politics

Summary

In this insightful video, Adriana Girdler, president of CornerStone Dynamics, shares five essential tips for navigating office politics. She advises remaining neutral like Switzerland to avoid taking sides, documenting meetings to protect oneself, and maintaining professionalism by not getting personal. Girdler also warns against engaging in gossip and emphasizes the importance of choosing positivity to counteract negativity. Her tips aim to help viewers survive and thrive in the workplace by fostering a positive and professional environment.

Takeaways

• 🇨🇭 **Remain Neutral**: Avoid taking sides in office politics; stay professional and friendly to all parties.
• 📝 **Document Everything**: Keep records of meetings and agreements to protect yourself from potential disputes.
• 🚫 **Avoid Personal Attacks**: Do not engage in personal conflicts; remain neutral and remember that others' anger is about them, not you.
• 🗣️ **Stay Away from Gossip**: Refrain from participating in gossip and associate with positive, mentorship-driven individuals.
• 🌟 **Choose Positivity**: Opt for a positive outlook in the face of office politics; it will reflect back on you positively.
• 🏋️‍♀️ **Maintain Professionalism**: Focus on your work tasks and remain professional amidst office politics.
• 🤔 **Mindfulness**: Practice mindfulness to help navigate through emotionally charged situations.
• 🤝 **Build Positive Relationships**: Seek out relationships with colleagues who can provide mentorship and support.
• 🔍 **Be Observant**: Notice who the perpetual gossipers are and avoid getting entangled with them.
• 💡 **Give Benefit of the Doubt**: Approach situations with an open mind and consider others' perspectives before jumping to conclusions.

Q & A

What is the primary advice given for navigating office politics?

The primary advice is to remain neutral and not pick sides, similar to how Switzerland maintains neutrality.

How should one respond to negative comments about other departments or individuals?

One should ignore personal attacks and instead suggest solutions like providing training to improve performance.

Why is documentation suggested in the context of office politics?

Documentation is advised to keep a record of meetings, agreements, and dates, which can help defuse conflicts and maintain neutrality.

What is the significance of not getting personal during office conflicts?

Not getting personal helps maintain professionalism and emotional stability, and it's important to remember that others' anger is often about their own issues, not about you.

How does Adriana Girdler suggest dealing with someone who is angry due to office politics?

Adriana suggests using mindfulness techniques, taking deep breaths, and not taking it personally.

Why is it important to stay away from gossip in the workplace?

Staying away from gossip prevents negative associations and helps maintain a professional image.

What type of people should one avoid associating with in the workplace according to the script?

One should avoid associating with perpetual gossipers who are known and called out for spreading rumors.

What role does positivity play in navigating office politics?

Positivity allows one to choose a different perspective, show compassion, and give people the benefit of the doubt, which can help counteract negativity.

What is the final tip provided for dealing with office politics?

The final tip is to choose positivity, as it can influence one's outlook and potentially influence the responses of others.

How does Adriana Girdler encourage viewers to apply the tips provided?

She encourages viewers to write 'survive and thrive' in the comments if they find the tips helpful, emphasizing the goal of success in the workplace.

What action does Adriana Girdler request from viewers at the end of the video?

She asks viewers to subscribe to her channel, give the video a thumbs up, and share it with friends, family, and colleagues.