Snowballing fights: How to better handle office politics

We are delighted to have you here.” Bernard Landry is Group CEO of a huge Conglomerate.  A quick trip to Sri Lanka based on an urgent demanding client brings me to watching a beautiful sunset through a large glass pane, sipping astonishing Sri Lankan tea in golden Noritake cups.

“You see, we need your intervention is coaching our employees. Only one focused topic though. They need to handle office politics better. We are growing multifold. And these people into crab mentality.  You know it, isn’t it?”
Yes, I do. I coach CEO and CFOs struggling through this. I see Director HRs pulling hair apart on miniscule fights turning into fireballs. 

Just to understand as what could be termed as Office Politics, here is simplified definition. Any behavior that uses influencing tactics to gain more personal space and power even at times ethically wrong, is termed as Office Politics. And just so you know, no culture or country is left without being touched by this.

Are there any basic rules to maintain by? Is being aloof let you grow anyways?

My experience with such terrain is enormous but just a few suggestions are listed here.

The Angry Men Brigade: People who are basically angry as they think, you are competition to them, not a team member. They try undermining you work, not giving you credit, making sarcastic comments and so on. If you are that sensitive material types, they will have a field day with you.

How to handle: Try not to overplease them. Going extra mile will be taken for granted and they will term it as weakness. Just stay calm and try building your internal network around. If you are frustrated by them, chances are others too. 

The Jungle Grass Army: These are guerilla warriors. They are ruthless with no merci or sense of belonging to one individual. You talk about anything, anywhere and it spreads as jungle fire. Sometimes without a hint of real fire ever. They look friendly and take away your secrets to the world.

How to handle: Be careful of water cooler and tea vending machine gossips. No great good ever happened there. Also, organizational concept of individual loyalty is twisted. People change faster than weather in Himalaya does. So, why spill beans that are impossible to collect later, rather keep them safe.

The Mountain Man: @Niteshmishra_ would like with this one. That one person who thinks himself as the best creation of god almighty. These individual tries to be everywhere. Thinks of self as Hercules who needs to carry organisation on one’s shoulders. Speaks for everyone in collective noun always.

How to handle: This behaviors’ is manifestation of inferiority complex and intense need of being wanted. Just make them feel wanted and still do not let them interfere. Best way to do it is be in their good books by asking guidance. Implementing remains a choice with you.

To top it all, always remember that everyone has at least good quality. Seeing that may be a happy way to wade through muddy lanes of office politics.