Office Politics and How to deal with it effectively

Whether you work in a big corporate giant, some mid level organization or any small company...you have to always face office politics. Office politics is everywhere and you can't escape it even if you ignore it completely. So its like a game which you have to play eventually, even if you don't want to.

Why do people play office politics

Now you may be wondering why people play office politics in the first place. Can't they just mind doing their job and get paid. Since its the most logical thing to do. But human nature does not work this way. Everyone want respect, recognition and good salary at workplace. But this require lot of hard work and commitment to work. And most of the employees are very lazy and dishonest. They want power and rights but does not want to fulfill their responsibility. That is why most of the people chose manipulation, cheating, back bitching and politics to get ahead in corporate rat race. 

Who are the victims of this dirty game  

People who are naive and relatively innocent are easier target.  They work hard, commit to their work and do their passionately. But in the end some Mr xyz took their credit and gets all the appreciation. This is the dirtiest side of office politics where actual hard working people are suppressed and the vultures fed on their work. 

How you can protect yourself

As I wrote above that no matter what you can not escape office politics. So first thing you have keep in mind that you have to play either willingly or non-willingly. So, why not become the master of the game when you have to play it anyway. Now I am not telling you to become cruel and harass innocent people at workplace. But you should be well equipped to protect yourself. So here are some iron rules you must follow, which not only guard you from politics but help you exceling at work.

1.  Always be on good terms with your boss. I am not saying here to do buttering. But its very necessary that you have the support of your boss or manager. So that in case anything bad happens, he will be your side. Now if your immediate boss is bad and not supportive then you have to develop good terms with your manager's boss. Its very necessary that you have good terms with some of the powerful people who are above you in office hierarchy. With their support you even can scold anyone if line is crossed.
2. Do not get involved in any kind of gossiping with anyone. I said never ever. Not only this waste time, also it spoils your image. Also people who do gossip more are the most toxic. its better to stay away from them.
3.  Maintain a thick line between your personal and professional life. Always be cautious of oversharing your personal and family life with office colleagues. Sharing too much personal details will make you appear weak. Also, not everyone in office is your friend.
4. Work on your skills and be valuable for your team .A person who is good at his work is automatically respected by all. Although some of them feel jealous with you. But still this is worth. Being good at your skills makes you tough to be replaced.
5. Always be assertive and make sure everyone knows about your skills. Never be shy at taking credits of your accomplishments. However try to avoid being too direct otherwise you will be look like bragging about yourself. Discuss your achievement in an indirect tone. For example you can state like- "oh you know, we had this big issue while executing the abc project. But after too much brain storming I finally found out this brilliant solution". Noticed how I started the sentence with 'w' and and up with 'I' , that's how you have to preserve the credit for your work.
6. Last but not the least, if their is some kind of groupism in your office, never rush to join any particular group. Because once you joined any particular group you will automatically hated by the rival group members. So if possible be neutral in case this for as long as possible and maintain good terms with both the groups. But if it became necessary to join any group, because sometimes circumstances are like that you need help from them, then join the strongest group.
7. Last but not the least, always maintain you composure in office. Always try to be in a balanced state of everything. Never be fearful to say anything right nor be too intimidating to others. Never talk too much but be never shy of sharing opinions among peers and in meetings. Never be angry on pity issues nor take unnecessary shits from others.

In the end just wanna add one more point never take anything personal in office. You are there to work for some years don't make your entire life circle around it. Everyday once you leave the office building  after work, forget and forgive everything. Never take office worries to your home. Sleep peacefully at night. You have the next day to deal with everything.