These Are The Strong Factors That Initiate Negative Office Politics!

So, what is OFFICE POLITICS after all.

Well, folks, I would, quite thoughtfully, define office politics as “Using real or perceived power and control to get what you want,  be it tangibles just like a salary raise, a corner office or something little more preferential, and the  intangibles like a promotion, visibility, influence over others and much more. All this,  sometimes at the expense of others.”

This definition brings home the fact that office politics is inevitable. Right?

Now this is a debatable point that office politics are always negative or they can be positive too. Most of us perceive the phenomenon as negative only. But why so?

Every Organisation Has Negative Office Politics

Name one  organization that doesn’t have a hierarchy of some or the other type. Tell me one company that does not have managers, supervisors, presidents, CEOs,  who hold some authority? 90% of our newsletter recipients and other respondents to our survey about the subject admitted to being aware of negative office politics in their organization. Many of them also admitted that they knew of serious conflicts in the organization caused by office politics. Brilliant, isn’t it?

If this is a common feature, then is it that every employee or executive is injected with NEGATIVE OFFICE POLITICS SERUM before being placed in an office environment? Well,  It seems so. Or are there any valid reasons that make each one of them a gamer as soon as they see themselves in an organisational structure.

Let us just enlighten you with some of the most influential factors that bring the office politics in every organisation, in every employee.

Scarcity of Resources

When there are less and not enough resources to go around and everyone wants to get “their share”, the dirty game of  office politics starts. This often causes back-stabbing and manipulation at varying degrees. It is all about grabbing the best, the rest is not considered.

Negatively Competitive Work Environment

Performance not only based on production, skill or ability, but mainly on “winning” from an individual perspective not an organizational one. The hazardous feeling of “I have to go ahead of the rest by hook or crook” starts working full-time, more than an employee works. Often work relationships are sabotaged and rampant burnout occurs due to the high level of competition. And this, neither is a healthy competition, nor positive office politics.

Desire To Win the Positions With or Without Capability

An inordinate desire to advance in an organization, is one of the most effectively working factors behind negative office politics. Wanting to advance not solely on merit, but due to a need or just to have a “title”, a certain position, makes a person blind to the rest of the enveloping factors.

Abuse of Power to Manipulate Others

Those who are in power, use their position of authority to manipulate others by any means, especially their subordinates. Many a times the power is used to put them through unnecessary tasks that lead to frustration and retaliation. Negative objectives will always reap negative results. Hence, negative office politics.

So guys, navigating the terrain of negative office politics can be daunting, but knowing exactly what they are all about at their root, can give you some insight on how to respond and you can plan your moves accordingly.

Our two cents: Try to steer clear of negative office politics, as much as possible.

All the best with that dirty little game.