Office politics is a fact of life. So the sooner you accept it, and learn how to play it, the better.

Trust me, it doesn’t matter where you go, there will always be office politics. It would be best for you to know how to deal with it like a champ.

The term politics generally has a bad association in our minds. Break down the word and you get poly, or “many”, and tics, or “blood-sucking parasites”. One could argue that some government politics can be defined in just that fashion.

Even with my small team of staff, or when I deal with clients, there is always some element of office politics going on. You have to navigate it even if you don’t strive to become a benevolent dictator.

How and where you step is vital to the health of your career and/or business. It’s like that bad rap song, “Play or be Played". Such a cliché, I know, if only it wasn’t true.

Let’s look at how different government styles can be depicted in the workplace and what they can teach us.

(Read also: Making plans is good, but life is what you make it)

Dictatorship

This is not a good governmental structure to emulate in business. Having a boss who demands that things are done their way all the time will only lead to a disgruntled, inefficient staff.

Everyone has something to offer (or they should find another job for which they are more suited) and it would behoove you to ask people for their input and advice.

Everyone likes to feel that their opinion counts and they are more likely to have your back in the future if they feel as though you respect them and their abilities. Who among us hasn’t had that boss who basically said “it’s my way or the highway” and we all secretly hated them and tried to sabotage their career? Oh wait – just me? Sorry, I’ve said too much ….

Best way to deal:  Ask for input. You might hear a great new idea or, alternatively, you might not, but remember, you don’t necessarily have to run with the suggestions you receive. It will, however, make people feel as though they’ve been heard. And that’s not bad at all.

Democracy

You always have a choice. You can choose to react poorly if you’re overlooked for a promotion, or you can calmly ask for information on how you might improve or change your work so that next time you might advance.

Best way to deal: Always choose to behave professionally and without making negative personal comments about others.

Anarchy

This is when no one is in power. While this can cause mayhem, think about it instead as though there is no win-lose situation. There doesn’t have to be one winner.

Think of how every situation can be a win-win scenario because ultimately, you’re all in business together and want to achieve the same goals. What it comes down is, what does your seeming work-opponent want to achieve? And what do you want to achieve? And, is there a middle ground somewhere so you can both get what you want? Or, at least part of what you want? When people feel as though they’ve won, they are happier, more productive and eager to work again to achieve goals.

Best way to deal: If the anarchy has turned to mayhem, make like a tree and leave. Basically start updating that resume and try to jump ship as soon as you can.  If the lack of central power is working, then make like a symbiotic relationship and cooperate.  

Commonwealth

A government based on the idea of the common good. Don’t forget that you’re on a team and that ultimately the health of the business is everyone’s goal. So when you find yourself in conflict in the workplace, step back and focus on the pros and cons of your ideas as well as the ideas of others.

Avoiding the pitfall of insisting that your solution is the only way not only allows others to consider your ideas more openly, but also lets you see that perhaps there is another way to lead the organization in the right direction. You will also avoid appearing petty or rigid and, instead, look like a team player.

Best way to deal: Reassess your ideas. Are you sure your idea is the best way to go or do you need to open your mind and admit there might be a better solution? The ego is over-rated (sorry, Dr. Freud).

(Read also: Whatever your style, here's 20 tips to kick it up a notch)

Hamarchy

Never heard of hamarchy? Well, we would be better off if there was more of this. 

It’s a government made up of individual parts that all work together. In the office, focus on yourself and the immediate area over which you have some control or autonomy. Stop complaining or obsessing about someone or some other department over which you have no say or control.

Do your job with an eye on working toward a common goal and give up thinking you should be spending time worrying about a piece of the project beyond your sphere of influence. On a side note, if this sounds like your workplace, do email me as I am curious to hear how this is working for you.

Best way to deal: Thank your lucky stars.

Unlike countries where we only have to vote (if we’re lucky) every few years, office politics are an everyday occurrence. You can’t avoid them, so learn to work the system to your advantage.

When in doubt, take a cue from a campaigning candidate: smile, shake hands, dress well, remember people’s names and assure them you’re on their side.

If you do that well enough, you’ll be elected … I mean, promoted.

***

Heidi Nazarudin is a former CEO turned style blogger, public speaker and event host based in Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles and New York. She has worked with brands such as Saks 5th Avenue, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo and Mont Blanc. She is the blogger-in-chief of TheAmbitionista.com and co-founder of Blogger Babes. She resides in Santa Monica, CA by the beach and lives on Instagram @theambitionista.

---------------

Interested to write for thejakartapost.com? We are looking for information and opinions from experts in a variety of fields or others with appropriate writing skills. The content must be original on the following topics: lifestyle ( beauty, fashion, food ), entertainment, science & technology, health, parenting, social media, and sports. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com.

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia