Office politics puts you on a volcano; don't be misled

Office politics has become an integral part of the workplace, irrespective of the size or nature of the organisation. Individuals trying to grow in a world of competition try to outdo each other at every instance, including playing nasty politics to achieve their goals.

It's more prevalent in organisations where the policy framework is not strong providing breeding grounds for office politics.

Be everybody's and nobody's person

By nature people, for several reasons, form smaller groups which they are comfortable with and offers them affinity and strength; be it school, village, sports, clubs or profession. These naturally divide people while organisations do everything possible at huge expense to bring people together.

Ensure you don't become a part of any group which is known to garner negative feelings against certain people and other groups. If everyone perceives you as neutral they will leave you alone and you will not risk jeopardising your career.

Be everybody's and nobody's person but be valued by everyone for your positive contribution. The management might also take your views on crucial matters such as people management, key policy changes in the organisation as valuable, impartial and an honest opinion.

As a leader of the organisation, you will have a better say. Getting into groups, favouring people of similar caste, creed, colour and religion and trying to derail others’ careers serves well in the short-term but not in the long-term.

Don't be personality-based when commenting on others

Be fact-based rather than personality-based when people ask you to comment on individuals or issues. Just respond to what you have been asked about. Dragging conversations can only lead you to complicated and complex territories as people might put words in your mouth to show your support for what they have been campaigning for or against.

And without any reason you will make foes. Your image might even take a beating as a politiking employee. Let curiosity not get the better of you. Avoid giving your opinion on people or personal issues unless you have a management responsibility to do so.

You can become a victim of Chinese whispers and a friend might turn into a foe only due to your weakness of not resisting a chat around the water cooler. People naturally tend to twist and turn statements to make it spicier and gossip worthy.

Exaggerations are normal in such situations and develop a lot of negative energy which leads to people forgetting their main purpose of coming to office, which is to work.

Don't mingle with idlers and gossip mongers

Always remember your larger goals in life. The priority for you while in office is work that provides the platform to achieve those goals. Stay focused and you will ward off negative energies and influences if any.

Focused, committed and busy individuals tend to bore gossip mongers. They are least interested in people who don't contribute to their gossip and purpose.

For you, it's the ideal situation; you can work in peace and reap the benefits of hard work.

People who while away their time in unproductive things can come up with destructive ideas on how to spoil the office environment. They never work, nor will they let you work.

People involving themselves in politics have to do so to cover their drawbacks as employees. It is best to keep a safe distance from them and strive at achieving your goals.

Office politics costs both the employee and employer

Politics not only affects commercial organisations but any type of organisation where working together is the basic demand for success. It causes time wasting, de-motivation, lower productivity and effectiveness.

Dealing with office politics is a critical leadership need in our culture and a lot depends on the local leaders attitudes - sad to say some leaders for their own survival breed office politics. For employees promoting office politics can potentially cost their job.