Why You Should Confront Office Politics at your Workplace

Whether you are the employee or the boss, you need to be pro-active about dealing with office politics at your workplace.

You can find difficult people almost everywhere. It gets even harder when they get in the way of your career. It could be your boss, a colleague, or even a subordinate. They’ll either shoot down every single idea you propose, or would always comment every chance they get. These are people who think they know it all, and they like being the center of attention. The thing is, they do think they know everything and truly believe that they deserve the attention, advantage, and adoration.

Although people like these don’t really know that much, they don’t let that get in the way. If you really don’t know much about what they’re talking about, they may lead you into trouble or throw a project off-track. So, be wary and astute enough to discern if a co-worker is like this. If, on the other hand, a supervisor falls into this very category, it can lead to disaster. But don’t burst their bubble. When you challenge them, their only way out is to counterattack with even grander claims. And their conviction could sway others who don’t know any better. Putting them on the defensive will not only embarrass them, but it will also put you in a bad light in front of the others. Your best tactic would be to temper criticism with grace. Show them that you appreciate their inputs, but also say that it’s important to get feedback from the rest as well. If this person is reporting to you, give credit when and where it’s due, but let the others speak up. It’ll strike a balance between a good listener and a great manager.

Then there are those who like to stab the others in the back. These are people who gossip for the sake of gossip. There are also those who spread vicious rumors about you for the sake of gaining power or advantage. These aren’t your friends; otherwise, they’d be upfront about their opinions. This covert operator resents you for some reason, and he gets even by identifying your weaknesses and using them against you through sabotage, gossip, and put-downs. This isn’t the only thing they use in their arsenal, so you have to arm yourself from head to toe.

Backstabbers seldom survive head-on confrontations. That’s why they’re called such because if you don’t challenge them, you will have a bull’s eye on your back. Given this, it’s best to confront them straight on if you feel that something’s amiss or hear them talking about you behind your back. Tell them directly that you know what they’ve been talking about. The best way to control the backstabber is to smoke him out with the truth. If that person fights back, hold your ground. Simply show that you’re no pushover and that you’re not afraid to stand up to the bullying. These people also target those who quake easily in their boots. Don’t let them get their way and don’t sink to their level by giving out personal attacks. Be assertive while maintaining professionalism.

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