This document discusses office politics and provides strategies for dealing with it. It begins by stating that politics are unavoidable and can be both necessary and harmful. It then describes different types of office politics and political personalities including corporate sharks, climbers, survivors, and straight arrows. Potential causes of office politics like scarce resources and subjective performance standards are outlined. Examples of common office political situations are depicted. Finally, tips are provided on how to rise above office politics including associating with influential people, building coalitions, and shining at meetings. Habits of politically savvy employees also focus on truth, teamwork, and protecting one's reputation.

1. Jinju Thomas – 046
Lakshmi Kishore – 058
Lalima Arora – 059
Mohit Jain – 067
Palak hasija - 075
DEALING WITH OFFICE
POLITICS

2. POLITICS ARE REAL &
UNAVOIDABLE !
“ Politics is necessary evil &
often it’s just plain evil.
Unfortunately, it’s also how
things get done.”

3. POLITICS
Not all politics are bad.
Expect politics in all situations.
Realize this reality.
It is a part of human interaction.

4. OFFICE POLITICS
Bad Office politics = Self-promotion over the greater good
Ugly Office politics = Destructive behavior that benefits no one
Good Office politics = Building Positive Relationships

5.  Workplace politics, sometimes referred to as office politics or
organizational politics is "the use of one's individual or
assigned power within an employing organization for the
purpose of obtaining advantages beyond one's legitimate
authority.”
 Office politics has also been described as "simply how power
gets worked out on a practical, day-to-day basis.”
OFFICE POLITICS

6. Scarcity of resources
Competitive work environment
Subjective performance standards
Emotional insecurity
Unclear job definitions
CAUSES OF OFFICE
POLITICS

7. THE CORPORATE SCENE..

8. Thank God I found these
four. At least someone will
come up with an idea that will
make me look good.
This would make the job
easier for me..

9. Finally my work is done!
So much hard work and
so many sleepless nights
..!! Anyhow I have
managed to finish it on
time. Hope this pays off!

10. The new kid seems
to be over
enthusiastic. I’m sure
she would have done
it by now. Let me go
and check what she’s
up to.

11. That’s really nice of you. I
was actually hoping that
someone goes through it
before I give it to the Boss
for final approval..
How’s the work
going? Do you need
some help before it
goes to the Boss? I
know what she
expects. Maybe I can
help you..

12. I’m sure Palak will
somehow get all the details
from Lalima and include
it in her report. Her report
is going to be selected for
sure. Maybe I can talk to
Palak and request her to
add me also in her team

13. I’m sure you’d have done a
good job. I’ll have a look at it
and get back to you soon..
Ma’am this is the final idea
I have come up with . I
have put in a lot of effort.
Hope you approve of it..

14. Lalima has put in all the
efforts and the Boss
should be made aware of
this. I’ll go meet her
tomorrow and make sure
Lalima gets the credit due
to her.

15. Roles played :
Lakshmi as the Corporate Shark
Lalima as the Lamb for Slaughter
Palak as the Climber
Jinju as the Survivor
Mohit as the Straight Arrow.

16. Corporate Shark
Climber
Survivor
Straight arrow
Lamb for Slaughter
POLITICAL TYPES

17. Tends to use others to enhance own career
Power hungry, ruthless and devious
Unhesitant to take advantage of situations for own
benefit
CORPORATE
SHARK

18. Shrewd politician
Believes in politics to meet every end
Not as ruthless as the corporate shark but plays the
political game well
CLIMBER

19. Moderate politician
Practices some office politics and is aware of the
political climate existent in the office
Believes in survival to the end
SURVIVOR

20. Not perceived as an office politician
May neglect cultivating key people for career enhancement
Honesty is the best policy
STRAIGHT ARROW

21. Does not believe in office politics
Easily eaten by the sharks
Taken advantage of by the other political types
LAMB FOR
SLAUGHTER

22. HOW TO DEAL WITH
OFFICE POLITICS
Employee A
Employee B
Power Balance:
Rare chance of
politics, improves the decision
making quality
Power Imbalance:
Decision made in favor of
one employee – reason for
office politics

23. HOW TO DEAL WITH OFFICE POLITICS
Increasing
Non
substitutability
Increasing
Centrally

24. HOW TO DEAL WITH
OFFICE POLITICS
Associating with powerful Managers
Building and Managing Coalition
Influencing the Decision Making
Controlling the agenda
Bringing an outside Expert

25. Shine at meetings
Compliment influential people
Talk Big, Think outside the box
Appear cool under pressure
Display good corporate manners
Learn new skills and sell them
Be a team player
WINNING
STRATEGIES: RISING
ABOVE IT ALL

26. 1. Politics are a part of human interaction- you can set the tone
by:
Not participating in gossip
Telling the truth
Checking out praises and criticism
2. Help design/define clear job roles and compatible teams
HABITS OF
POLITICALLY SAVVY
PEOPLE

27. 3. Expose the dirty tricks used by the sharks
4. Don’t allow anyone to “get” something on you that can be used
later
5. Make emotional deposits with the people you work with
HABITS OF
POLITICALLY SAVVY
PEOPLE

28. 6. Be known as a “producer’ and not as a “politician”
7. Lift others up with you and forgive failures
HABITS OF
POLITICALLY SAVVY
PEOPLE

29. SURVIVAL TIPS

45. Thank You