Company Politics - Is there a quiet approach?

It's impossible to avoid company politics. In fact, research by Accountemps, the employment firm, cites that executives waste 20 percent of there day dealing with office politics. The work place is inherently political.

You know that writing from this blog I am compelled to ask the question, "What is the quiet way to deal with the politics?" I like the suggestions coming from the Center for Creative Leadership in their April 2007 newsletter. Author Jean Leslie recommends four skills or approaches toward workplace politics:

• Think before you speak.
• Manage up — to a point.
• Practice influence.
• Hone your powers of perception.
• Learn to network.
• Be sincere.

The same article also directed me to the work on Gerald Ferris of Florida State University. His research has linked high political skill in the workplace to workplace performance. And another favorite quote, "Leaders who are not politically skilled come off as manipulative or self-serving." This quote is likely to bring to mind the names of colleagues you have seen in your past. It does for me. (Note to self, I'd like to read more of Professor Ferris' research)


Thanks for reading. Please lead quietly.