IF THE VERY thought of office politics makes you want to hide under your desk, you are certainly not alone. The competitive and, at times, deceitful one-upmanship, often found in the workplace, can make life very difficult indeed.
Unfortunately, it is all too easy to believe the only way of countering it is by adopting similar tactics. But that is a trap best avoided. While competition at work is inevitable, you do not have to resort to scheming to get ahead.
An alternative strategy, which reduces the need for petty point-scoring, is to develop personal power based on authentic skills and attributes. After all, people resort to backstabbing and other nasty behaviour only when they feel insecure or powerless. That is when they try to get what they want by undermining others.
If they can project authority and influence in an organisation, they will be able to get things done more easily, and will realise personal and business goals without the need to portray colleagues in a bad light.
Some people derive authority from their position, but many individuals exert far greater influence than their designation or job profile would suggest.
For example, an office manager may do more for a business on a day-to-day basis than a director sitting in the boardroom. This kind of informal power comes from creating mutual respect and being able to sell ideas. It also makes it possible to avoid the time-wasting disputes and divisiveness that typify office politics.