© 2013 Robert Half International Inc. An Equal Opportunity Employer. All rights reserved. How to Navigate Office Politics

Can You Avoid Office Politics? “In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’” – George Orwell, English novelist and journalist

Office Politics: a ‘Political’ Imperative? Source: Robert Half survey of more than 700 North American workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment. 62% of workers said involvement in office politics is necessary to get ahead

‘Occasional Voter’ or ‘Active Campaigner’? Source: Robert Half survey of more than 700 North American workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment. Workers share their degree of involvement in office politics.

Charting Your Course  The truth about office politics  Political lessons for professionals  Politicos to avoid  Tips for managers What We’ll Cover Today

Office Politics = Relationships  The best employees understand – and capitalize on – organizational dynamics  Is your work environment more … Competitive or supportive? Traditional or innovative? Results- or process-oriented? Team- or individual-oriented?

Know the Key Players  Your manager  Your manager’s assistant  C-level executives and their assistants  Tech support, others who can help you be more effective

Know Their Work Styles  How do they like to communicate?  How often do they want updates?  What are their hot buttons?  What do they need from you?

 As you move up in your career, success becomes less on individual performance, more on how you influence those around you Office Politics Becomes More Important as You Move up the Ranks

5 Tips to Guide You 5 Tips to Guide You Political Lessons For Professionals

★ 1 ★ Avoid Smear Campaigns Political Lessons For Professionals

★ 2 ★ Keep tabs on office news, not gossip Political Lessons For Professionals

★ 3 ★ Don’t neglect grassroots movements Pay attention to your workplace landscape and decide when you should get involved and when to just leave things alone. Political Lessons For Professionals

★ 4 ★ Resolve conflicts quickly  Settle small squabbles before they escalate.  Focus on facts, not feelings.  Settle small squabbles before they escalate.  Focus on facts, not feelings. Political Lessons For Professionals

★ 5 ★ Use small talk to win big Political Lessons For Professionals

How Do You Navigate Office Politics?

When Office Politics Go Awry Source: Robert Half survey of more than 700 North American workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment. Responses represent nearly 400 workers who indicated a political activity in their office. Gossip leads most common ‘political’ activities in the workplace

The Gossip Hound  Avoid conversations around sensitive issues.  Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to someone directly.  Avoid conversations around sensitive issues.  Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say to someone directly.

The Credit Thief  Protect yourself: Keep written records of your contributions.  Correct misperceptions when necessary.  Protect yourself: Keep written records of your contributions.  Correct misperceptions when necessary.

The Sycophant “A man like you I’d follow into combat blindfolded, and I wouldn’t be the first. Am I right, buddy?” – Mad Men’s Pete Campbell to boss Don Draper  Most managers can see right through the Sycophant’s fulsome flattery.  Give kudos to deserving individuals.  Most managers can see right through the Sycophant’s fulsome flattery.  Give kudos to deserving individuals.

The Saboteur  Limit your interaction with this master manipulator.  Don’t avoid confrontation.  Limit your interaction with this master manipulator.  Don’t avoid confrontation.

The Debater My Way or the Highway “I’m not saying you’re wrong. You’re just not right.”  Be wary of the agenda being pushed by the Debater.  Don’t be strong- armed by hard- sell tactics.  Stand up for your own ideas.  Be wary of the agenda being pushed by the Debater.  Don’t be strong- armed by hard- sell tactics.  Stand up for your own ideas.

Managers’ How-to: Avoid Political Fallouts Overly competitive work environment Reduced productivity Trust, morale, retention issues Which lead to …

Political Differences Source: Robert Half survey of more than 700 North American workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment and more than 5,000 North American executives. “How political is your work environment?” (10-point scale, 10 being ‘very political’) More political: 6 or higher 39%27% Less political: 5 or lower 61%73% WorkersExecutives

YOU THEM Be Accessible: Maintain an open-door policy Helping Your Staff Navigate Office Politics

 Give them the information they need Communication preferences Critical objectives Unwritten “rules”  Hold the “meeting before the meeting”

Prevent turf wars Helping Your Staff Navigate Office Politics Tip: Assign duties at the start of a project and identify who will be responsible for what.

Build a unified coalition  Be willing to address political infighting among staff head-on.  Early intervention helps maintain a healthy work environment.  Be willing to address political infighting among staff head-on.  Early intervention helps maintain a healthy work environment. Helping Your Staff Navigate Office Politics

 Walk the talk.  Voice support for business strategies and leaders.  Set a positive tone for your office by showing you value your team.  Walk the talk.  Voice support for business strategies and leaders.  Set a positive tone for your office by showing you value your team. Helping Your Staff Navigate Office Politics

Don’t Let This Happen to You roberthalf.com/bloopers

© 2013 Robert Half International Inc. An Equal Opportunity Employer. All rights reserved. How to Navigate Office Politics