If you read the words in the photo on the left about office politics, you will only see one positive word – allies. Unfortunately, this is how many people react to a conversation about office politics, NEGATIVELY! They conjure up negative thoughts like backstabbing, lies, revenge, sabotage, etc. Certainly, I have worked in environments where this was in play, you probably have, too. Yet, if you ignore office politics, your career may get left in the dust of others moving ahead while you are standing still. You can navigate office politics without selling out. You can, if, you redefine and rethink what office politics can be. It is more than sucking up, brown nosing, and being a sycophant. My definition of smart office politics is building a network of mutual relationships to further each other’s careers. If you think just doing your job well will get you where you want to go, you may be terribly disappointed, resentful, and ultimately bitter. You MUST have relationships in the workplace that work for you. This is about building your own village. So, what is a smart woman to do? Consider the following segments.
- Every workplace has a hierarchy. We typically think of those at the top having role power. The CEO, COO, CFO, department heads, likely have power and influence. However, they are not the only people with power. You must understand where power lies in your organization. You will need to go into investigative mode and start observing closely. Observe and determine who else seems to have power and influence. It might be the person who has been there the longest. It could be the executive assistant, who is the gatekeeper. It might be the person who has a weekly golf date with the boss. That was one of my first wake up calls in my career. I lost out for an opportunity in my career, though I had the best credentials. The boss picked his new buddy, his weekly golf pal. That was a true wakeup call for me. Welcome to the reality of workplace power and relationships. Watching for who gets attention in meetings is important. Who must be consulted before a decision is reached? Whose name is mentioned frequently? These are all signs that these individuals have power and influence, though they may not have the title that indicates power. Once you know how decisions are made in your workplace, you can make a game plan for where to strategically develop relationships.
- Relationships, it’s all about relationships. Solid, respectful, and reciprocal relationships! Identify the people who have power and that you respect, like, and feel comfortable with. Reach out! Have lunch with them, coffee, or an after-hour drink, in-person or virtually. Discuss the intersection of your work. Show that you care about their work and that you are willing to support them. Ask how you can be of benefit to them. Just like in your personal life, work relationships take time. Don’t assume one coffee meeting is going to do much, but it is a start. Send them an article that you think will be useful to them. Mention their name when there is an appropriate opportunity or role to fill. Within my network, I always feel a kinship and feel supported when someone sends me a picture or an item with red high heels, reminiscent of my logo. I have a high-heeled eraser, a high-heeled keychain, a high-heeled ceramic shoe, a high-heeled Christmas wreath, high-heeled earrings, bracelet, necklace, pin, post-its etc. That merely scratches the surface. These are small items, but they are often the opener to a relationship. After deepening the relationship and knowing more about the expertise of these thoughtful people, I have suggested them for more opportunities than I can count. Because when someone has a need to fulfill, I think of the people that have thought of me.
- Other points of view are critical. One of my clients has a new job and in a recent coaching call she was feeling frustrated. Understand that she is very experienced and is knowledgeable in her field. She has effective solutions to some of the challenges that are coming up in her workplace. However, she is running into a stone wall of resistance. Remember egos are delicate, people often consider their work their baby, plus she is the new kid on the block. You can imagine how someone might be resistant to her recommendations. Developing great workplace relationships often means understanding other people and what is meaningful to them. Together we created numerous questions for her to understand the work from the other person’s point of view. Here are three that I have sanitized to make the questions more universal and protect her identity:
- What are you most proud of in this work?
- How could my expertise help you the most?
- What would make this a win for you?
I am immediately reminded of the quote from the great motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar, “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.” If you define office politics like that, it is a smart move.
Still feeling uncomfortable about the whole issue of office politics? It can be daunting, especially if you have resisted office politics your entire career. You do not have to navigate this gauntlet alone. Let’s do a complimentary 45-minute consultation to see if my perspective and expertise could be valuable to you. Email Kay@highheeledsuccess.com or call (513) 561-4288 to schedule. “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
Time’s-a-wastin’ may be an archaic term but the message is loud and clear – manage YOURSELF, so you will not waste precious time. You have heard it said 1000’s of times, “We all have 24 hours every day. It is what we do with them that makes us different.” If you are expecting an article about productivity tools, you might as well stop reading now. This article focuses on that internal debate about the value of your time, the value of your career and the value of yourself. Neither is this a “shame on you” article. You are human, with human needs, fears, and struggles. This is a retrospective of what I have learned about time in my career and what I have learned from client experiences.
What does it mean to navigate your boss? Perhaps you are familiar with the term: managing up? The Harvard Business Review defines managing up as “being the most effective employee you can be, creating value for your boss and your company.” If you do not have a good relationship with your manager, chances are life isn’t going to be easy, and your career could stall or even derail. This soft skill, of managing up, can greatly enhance your career. This isn’t about being a “suck up”! If you don’t understand what makes your boss tick, you can’t possibly know how to navigate the waters with her/him. Even if you don’t particularly like your manager, you can manage up. The quote from the late Zig Zigler is appropriate here, “You can get everything in life you want, if you will just help enough people get what they want.” Let’s say you don’t like your boss, and you buck him at every turn, maybe you have even been known to sabotage him. You may feel a bit of internal satisfaction, but you are sabotaging your own career. 
Yesterday, we had work done on our patio – pressure washing, repair, sealing, etc. It was 92 degrees, with no shade. My office is in my home, so periodically I checked on progress. I became increasingly concerned about the man doing the work. I loaded up a small cooler with ice and bottles of water and took it out to him. He looked surprised, thanked me, and went back to his tasks. Later he knocked and told me he was finished for the day. Then he said, “By the way, I power washed your small deck and steps, just my way of saying thanks for being so kind. Just don’t tell my boss!” A simple act of kindness came full circle for me. I didn’t do it to get something in return, rather because I was concerned for him. Sometimes we are kind just because it is the right thing to do. Sometimes, it’s just plain smart.
No, you don’t have a migraine, not having a stroke, no aneurysm, thank goodness! Yet, you do have a serious problem. It’s the women’s dilemma of mental overload. It is the mental burden for working women that includes juggling children and households. We are not talking about the actual physical labor of taking care of children, shopping, cleaning, etc., that physical work is visible and exhausting. However, the invisible mental overload can be even more destructive. Time management gurus usually talk about planning, prioritizing, time blocking etc., to be able to focus more effectively on work. We talk less often about the mental overload that limits women’s careers. What if you cannot focus at work because you are worrying about scheduling vet appointments, children’s parent/teacher conferences, and buying new clothes for your child? It’s bound to take a hit on your career. This mental overload for women is significant. It drains focus, creativity, problem solving and work satisfaction.
