Forums
office politics
General Forum
office politics
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
I am a new employee at a super cool startup. I am also new in the business world, coming from 7 years of academia. I am curious as to how others cope with office politics. I know one cannot escape the
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53Discussion:DiscussionId15861
1
|
office politics
posted at 8/4/1999 12:47 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 2
First: 8/4/1999
Last: 8/5/1999
|
I am a new employee at a super cool startup. I am also new in the business world, coming from 7 years of academia. I am curious as to how others cope with office politics. I know one cannot escape them, however, their must be ways to ease them- on a personal level as well as on an office wide level.
Any suggestions or insights from the wise??
|
2
|
office politics
posted at 8/4/1999 3:25 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 67
First: 7/20/1999
Last: 6/30/2000
|
First, remember these are co-workers, albeit nice ones, BUT not necessarily friends - there is a difference.
Second, anything you say to certain individuals can and well may be repeated - to the "wrong" individuals. I operate on the philosophy of not saying anything to anyone I don't mind having repeated. Sometimes that can be worked to one's advantage, i.e., mention certain things, knowing they will be repeated to certain others!
Until you know the players and who you can and can't trust, it's probably best to be an observer of the office activities!
Good luck!
|
3
|
office politics
posted at 8/4/1999 10:29 PM EDT
|
|
Posts: 90
First: 6/23/1999
Last: 9/26/2001
|
I would think academia has its share of office politics as well, if not even moreso than the private business sector. Remember the do's and don'ts from that. Common sense prevails. The prior response was excellent.
|
4
|
office politics
posted at 8/5/1999 9:04 PM EDT
|
|
Posts: 15
First: 6/21/1999
Last: 3/7/2003
|
I have found it is best to be quiet and observe. You will be amazed how much you will learn. And don't tell anyone anything you wouldn't want repeated...like the previous poster said..it becomes easy to plant comments so that you know they will get to the ears of the person you want to get the message. And these people don't have to be your best friends - at the end of the day you go home to your own friends and family and don't have to think about them until you face them the next morning. It is nice to get along with your co-workers, but remember it's a workplace. And if you are in hr, you will get used to being the red-headed stepchild of the office! No one will want to go to lunch with you anyway! They all think they will get the ax!
Ha!
|
5
|
office politics
posted at 8/5/1999 11:26 PM EDT
|
|
Posts: 2
First: 8/4/1999
Last: 8/5/1999
|
Thank you all for the advice! Sometimes it's hard to separate work from the rest of my life because I am always here!! But these "experienced" reminders will be with me for a while!!
|
Stay Connected
Join our community for unlimited access to the latest tips, news and information in the HR world.