Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation or in the middle of what is known as ‘office politics’ at work? I believe it is safe to say at one time or another we all have. So, what do we do? Well over the years I have learned some valuable lessons. Here’s a couple that may help you.
Lesson 1 – Don’t Pick Sides
Let me tell you a story I remember as a young girl. Back then I worked in an office with several other women of varying ages. Our department had two managers. Both were bright, talented, ambitious and eager to move up the ranks. Needless to say, the two managers were always competing against each other and often had a difference of opinion. Their behavior began to disrupt the office, so much so that their subordinates began to choose sides. This caught the attention of senior management and soon the rumors started to circulate that one of the managers was going to be let go. So I, as well as the others, determined in our own mind which manager was on their way out.
Picking a side caused my opinion of each manager to change and therefore my attitude changed. One manager I was loyal to and the other, well let’s just say I paid little attention to their direction and treated them with little respect. After all, I was sure the manager I supported was going to stay.
Yup, you probably guessed it. My manager was the one who was let go and the other manager became my boss. Well at least long enough to give me the boot. The moral to the lesson is, always treat everyone with the same respect and don’t pick sides, because what happens down the road just might surprise you.
Lesson 2 – Avoid Getting Caught Up in the Conflict
I have found that keeping my motives and my attitude out of the conflict equation has always helped me to behave professionally and come out on top when difficulties presented themselves.
MOTIVES – Always ask yourself before you do anything. What is the motive for my reaction to the situation?
When you are in the middle of conflict don’t react out of anger because you disagree or out of pride because you think your way is better. But instead humble yourself, show respect for the other person and listen to what they have to say. Most of the time the best solution is a combination of the two opinions.
Philippians 2:3 KJV – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
ATTITUDE – Your attitude will always drive your behavior.
When you find yourself in a situation where there is dishonesty or deliberate unacceptable behavior going on around you, be careful that you are not expressing a discontented or dissatisfied attitude creating further disagreements or a constant debate. Stay away from office gossip. Instead practice keeping the peace. Be sure to not abandon the truth (not your truth, the truth) but bring it into view without becoming offensive by doing what is right, so that when the situation escalates or comes to a head, you will be found innocent of wrong doing.
Philippians 2:15-16 KJV – Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.