Handling Politics at Work.

How many of you don’t take credit for whatever you do?

I think everyone in this world has some way or the other been in a rut either within himself or with others whenever his/her efforts at workplace were not acknowledged. One would have fought with all the strength to get recognition or credit for his/her efforts.Also, when people feel that they cant make it with their abilities the easiest way they feel is practicing politics at work, thus getting the niche out of everything : A common workplace culture.

So how can someone handle politics at work place?

The question is shot at those who are either naive or are honest enough that they refrain from participating in such activities. But before someone can really answer this milestone question, there is one more thing that needs to be brought to limelight. And that is—something thought provoking— “What really drives the political behavior at any organization?”

In my opinion, the current incentive structure could be driving such a behavior since it is designed to reward individual’s performance.

So did it “RING” inside your grey cells ?

Coming back to the same milestone where I left off. The question to handle politics is asked by several. Self cognition may sometimes posit blank answers. But, the answer to it would be: To stop taking credit for your work, for at least everything: being humble : being assertive .That way you might be able to effectively handle politics at work.

It may seem like a strange recommendation or sound counter intuitive to most of you. However, just think for a while that being at a higher position in your team could give you the power to shoot down everyone’s idea and help you pretend that you are the only think tank there. Additionally, even among your peers, you are the most creative and innovative one; the masses know it and think that you might be a threat to their progress. Although, shifting to chauvinism and non secularism in your behavior would seem to be a lucrative move,but it would not make strategic business sense.

Moreover, as long as everyone at work is aligned towards a common goal, for example meeting a deadline or delivering to a client, it really does not matter who takes the credit.

There are many real life examples present in the world, people who convey such idiosyncrasy such as David Butler—Vice President of innovation— at Coke.

Is it saint-ism or devotion to the greater glory of god? I think it is neither of them but tolerance.

It would be thought provoking for most of you and may require some self speculation , “but a bigger issue to think and re-design, in my opinion, is how can one change the current incentive system— and therefore politics —within corporations.”Double RING!!”

An article that might intrigue you: WSJ-Handling office politics.

6 thoughts on “Handling Politics at Work.

  1. You certainly have hit home by discussing this here. Many of us, whether we like it or not are faced with handling the ugly face of the ‘socializing’ at our workplace. Yes, your suggestion is one that everyone needs to hear from someone, so thank you for being that voice!

    I agree, by being humble and not scrambling to take credit one can make the conscious choice of staying away from the ‘political knick-knacks’ at work. Its simple, yet a very effective way of staying out of petty pursuits and thinking big! Most people don’t realize this but we do have the power of defining ourselves at our workplace, and our actions would speak that for us loud and clear!!:)


    1. Thanks for the comment Taniya. I agree to your point.It is true that actions speak louder than words.However, it also depends upon that person’s ideology, who is measuring your performance.Regarding the “thinking big”part, I would say that taking a holistic approach and traversing the road less traveled might make you standout from the rest rather than unnecessary self promotion.It’s just that you have to find out that road by yourself..


  2. i so wanted to pen my thoughts down on the same topic.. This has actually become the common work culture in all corporate offices and the once who either don’t know (or maybe don’t want to) take credits are crushed upon by those who know how to take appreciation from the work which they din’t even look upon and made some junior finish it up for them. Sad but true everyone has this mad urge to get into the limelight and will possibly do whatever it takes to get that.
    Thoughts Connect! Cheerz..


    1. Well, then i take the privilege of penning it earlier. 🙂 Anyways, I feel that most of that is dependent on the manager, the boss or the one who keeps track of your work.It certainly depends upon the size of your team as well.the bigger the size the lesser time the manager has to keep track of your efforts. I guess its immaterial to them who gets the job done.The one that increases his/her visibility in their eyes takes the baton.However, the primary purpose of this article was to know how to follow your passion,purely, without getting your hands messy.The stardom shall come to you eventually if your work speaks louder than your claims. Though, i always get myself reminded time and again of this thought whenever I feel like giving it back to a person and that is ” you aim a stone at the wet mud and the mud aims at you!…


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