How to Deal With Office Politics

It's pretty easy to get wrapped up in office politics. When you have so many people working together--including their ideas and personalities--there are bound to be some issues that arise.

But you don't have to get caught up in the drama that can also hamper your career advancement. Here are a few tips to help you deal with office politics.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Identify your options. The most important thing to remember about getting caught up in politics at work is to realize that you have a choice in how you react. While you may want to go on a tirade when you find out a coworker got a promotion over you, or that a coworker spoke behind your back, you still have a choice.
   
   You can take time to decide how to react, instead of acting on your emotions. When you have an outburst at work, coworkers are less likely than family members to keep everything cool. Which is why it's vital to stay cool, calm and collected (aka professional) when you're on the job.

2. Recognize your influence. While some things can't be avoided, like a new policy that cramps your style, for example, there are other things that can. So when something out of your control happens, you can also choose your reaction. By grumbling about it with coworkers, you're only harboring negativity.
   
   Try to remain positive and flexible. Chances are, your boss will see how adaptive you are, which is vital for long-term career success. View your company as a living, breathing thing. There will always be changes and adjustments. You'll rise above if you go with the flow. While that doesn't mean you can't voice your opinion or discontentment with something, it does mean you should stay professional should you choose to speak out.

3. 
    

   Be the middle man. Oh this is so much easier than it sounds, I know! The best thing to do when people put you in the middle is to keep communication open and not show favor--even when you personally favor someone over the other. This is business and things need to stay professional.
   
   By staying neutral, you'll be able to facilitate conflict resolution and not get involved in it. If you're stuck between two people or parties, you can also build trust this way. This will help resolve the discrepancy while keeping you focused on your duties.

4. Get an outlet. It's inevitable that your emotions will get fired up, but it's again how you choose to react that helps separate you from the crowd. Choose outlets to vent that don't include coworkers.
   
   Talk with a friend or a family member about the issues. This will enable you to blow off steam and see things more objectively.

5. Don't make it personal. This is really hard, because I do believe that business can be personal when you're not around people who understand and practice professionalism. Try not to get angry or emotional. You never know who you'll need help from in the future, so you want to be in good standing with all coworkers. Plus, even work "friends" will most likely choose themselves over you if it comes down to the line. Point is, you can only trust yourself at work.
   
   It's okay to have allies in the workplace, but you want to avoid using them and venting to them. Situations can turn ugly real fast when things come to a boil.

Tips & Warnings

• Build a network of confidants outside of your company that you can vent to when work situations come up. Use that network instead of friends at work.
• Don't blow up. If you're feeling angry or upset, take it outside. An outburst is never forgotten on the job and could even hurt your chances of career advancement.