Dealing with Intrigues in The Workplace
Posted in Workplace Advice
Probably anyone who has ever worked in an office has participated in office politics and intrigues.
If you are not careful, you can get caught up in all that corporate drama played out like a soap opera, neglecting some of your tasks just to keep up.
True, being an employee, you should know what's going on inside your own office. But there is a better and professional way to go about it.
More often than not, the information circulating around the workplace is just plain old gossip. And you don't need to get caught up in that, right?
To properly deal with office intrigues, and not get entangled in all that drama, take the following into consideration:
Professional information
If a coworker offers information about employee retrenchment for instance, then you may know about that. If it's about the lovelife of a another coworker, then stay out of it. Better yet, learn how to say "I don't need to know about that" politely to you gossiping fellow employee.
Think of your professional life
Think: will your involvement further your career? If yes, then by all means get involved in office discussions regarding new projects, changing the company structure, reshuffling of employees, etc.
If it's about betting against who get to manage the new project, or who's dating whom in the office, then it would be wise to stay out of it.
The source
Every "information" circulating around the office was definitely started by someone. Once you find out who that person is, ask yourself: Is this person a reliable source? Does he/she know people who matter to be spreading such information?
It's very important to know where the information is coming from because it will be one of your bases for deciding to get involved or not, and that could seriously affect your career.
You have the freedom to choose what you will listen to and what you should get yourself involved in. It's up to you to make the right decisions.
