how to 'survive' in the office with office politics all around?
345757
Do not indulge yourself in it.\n\nBe good and the same to everyone in the office.\n\nDo not favor anyone or carry news around the office.\n\nKeep a low profile.\n\nRemember at times IGNORANCE IS BLISS.
207609
it depends on the job, but being on time, taking direction, doing a good job (but not at the expense of making your co-workers look bad), not rocking the boat, and dressing professionally never hurt.\n\nalso have a sense of humor, used carefully of course.\n\nwhen you're talking to the boss, pay attention, ask questions for clarification, but not too many.  make suggestions as appropriate, but don't don't be upset if they're not used, and keep them to yourself if the boss gets offended.\n\ntry to bypass all office drama.  don't take things personally.\n\nsomething that works well for me is to cross clique lines.  make friends in several cliques, and when one tries to pit you against the other, say "no, sorry, that person is a friend of mine... you are too, of course... i just don't play the clique game".
785203
just general politeness. Please and thank you or at least thanks when appropriate. Not talking about nasty, gross, or lewd things in front of mixed company. Office mainly just keep it light and professional...gossip to a minimum at least too. school, appropriate speak and dress for the age group...especially if you are a teacher. And at home just the general common sense.
1071462
Read the newspaper or watch the news. Follow the politicians. They always have a scandal behind them.
1071205
She won't last. Give it time and she will self-destruct. I've seen it happen over and over. Meanwhile, just keep doing your job the best you can, and stay away from the politics. It will take patience but it will turn out OK.\n\nBest of success.
510639
Put in a suggestion box and have a staff meeting to introduce the box to everyone.Then tell them you are wanting to improve the teams work environment and would like every ones input.People are shy so put the box some where it is easy to get to but out of prying eyes.\nGive them a voice with out the confrontation.You might be able to find what the problem is and other ways to help your team work better and boost morale.Good luck don't be too hard on yourself just look at your own boss he didn't do much to help you.So be a good boss and find out what you team needs!!
845279
First of all, you were hired to do something.  So do it the best that you can.  Be creative and attentive.  Go beyond what is required of you.  Most of all, be good friends to your officemates.  Help around if you have extra time.  When opportunity knocks, your officemates might be the ones to suggest for your promotion.  However if you do not get promoted and you feel you are deserving, then approach your boss and ask for one.  Tell him directly that you have contributed this much to the office and your work is well appreciated by your officemates.  If all fails and you feel you are not getting the right promotion because of office politics, then I suggest you find a better work place were you can grow and develop.
432127
I'm sorry that is hard. Ignoring them is an excellent plan and here's what else  I would do. First try to make good impressions with the higher-ups. Say hi every change you get, do your work well and on time, and volunteer for activities that are important to the bosses or suggest some things that could improve the work environment. Next improve your work self. Take classes related to the job you want, get certified for things that are important to your office (i.e. the Red Cross has CPR and First Aid programs that every office needs), and if you don't have a degree work toward one even if it is only one class at a time (i.e. New York State's accredited Excelsior College is excellent ( http://www.excelsior.edu )). Ok now your bosses know you are a good worker with strong goals and a pleasant manner. It would be foolish to treat you badly under those circumstances. After all you could end up being their boss.
457855
Be competent at what you do.  Do not engage in office politics.  Trying to make yourself look better usually makes you look like a brown-noser.  Just do your job to the best of your ability.
657028
In my opionion - keep your love life out of the office. It can have really ugly repurcussions other wise. Sorry.
510037
Watch what others do and copy their style.\n\nBe well briefed (so you can contribure rather than just talk).\n\nTake a strong view on issues before the meeting so you know what side youre on.\n\nAgree with others and provide support ("John makes a good point and i think..")\n\nLike presentations practice - years ago when i was real nervous about job interview and presentations I practiced in front of a mirror, years later my wife helped by acting as the audience - it was terribly cringe-worthy and i hated it but it did work (i think its called desensitised). After so many meets youre glad someone else wants to voice something so go for it. Howeber bad it gets (stumbling over words etc) its better than sitting in the corner! Enjoy \nRobert :-)
99091
You have your work cut out for you and the results may not warrant the time and energy invested, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.\n\nThe key to your situation is money and influence. The other guys have both and you have neither.\n\nOn the "influence" issue:\n\n1) The politicians who run the show where you live have to run for reelection at some point. If you and others are willing to go door to door and get petitions signed by enough voters (emphasis on "registered" voters) you may raise a few eyebrows. \n\n2) You form a committee and the committee decides what the petition should say. If you can't get enough people to join a committee, that will tell you the level of non support and lack of interest there is in the community. The bottom line is sacrifice - less time in front of the TV - more time networking on the phone and computer.\n\n3) Make a connection with the local news media and get your story in print - politicians hate publicity, at least the unfavorable type. Keep that connection going, with routine updates through the local news media. If you quit, they'll quit.\n\n4) Hold and announce public meetings on the topic - ask for off hours use of public or private buildings with enough room for participants. Tip - the bigger the space, the greater the likelihood of a bad outcome. Why - large spaces create an image problem as far as filling a room is concerned. Better to have standing room only in a small space than empty seats in a large space. Do a head count prior to a meeting and then reduce that number by a fudge factor. Rule of thumb: committment of the mouth (lip service) is a lot easier than committment of action (getting one's butt off the sofa).\n\n5) Assign some task to each potential attendee, even if trivial, to ensure participation at meetings. That makes it harder for potential no shows.\n\n6) Find out who the "spies" are. Someone near you is "in bed" with the other guys but won't be waving a flag announcing it. Count on them to feed your every move to the opposition.\n\n7) Get somebody with a real set of brains and preferably experience on your team. Be careful about appointing executives who travel frequently - poor attendance and part time engagement is analogous to an absentee general during war.\n\n8) Find out if environmental issues are involved. State and local officials may have already been "bought off" by the developer. See if you can get the Feds involved if that appears to be the case.\n\nOn the "money" issue:\n\n1) Your local officials and politicians are supported by local business owners, especially during reelection campaigns.\n\n2) Local businees owners need your dollars to stay in business. If you withhold those dollars, they feel pain. They make it possible for your local politicians to screw you (sorry for the language) but that accurately describes the process. Rosa Parks, a poor black lady with minimal influence in her community, forced a bus company in Alabama to roll over - you can do it too.\n\n3) If you successfully organize a boycot of certain local businesses (pick one or two businesses who are in bed with the enemy) and put the hurt on them, guess whose phones will ring next. That's right - city hall. Don't attempt to boycott everyone - be picky and focus the pain.\n\nOn other issues:\n\n1) Let the politicians who are hurting you know where you stand and that you and many others have something they will eventually need - votes.\n\n2) Consider running for office yourself and see if there are others who are like minded willing to do that.\n\nBottom line: carrot and stick\n\nCarrot is support during reelection campaign, stick is the business boycott.\n\nYou may already be too late - money may have already changed hands from the developer with more on the way, but worth a shot. You can at least work to punish those who are hurting you.
772543
If you have access to a window, grab a coworker and visit it... Get in touch with what's going on outside your office.\n\nI know, playing Solitaire gets old after a while...\n\nSearch the web, for whatever else you might have questions about.\n\nBring work from home, that needs to be done, that always gets put off... balance your checkbook, pay/organize your bills, update your address book with names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, anniversaries.\n\nYou get the picture !
758215
This a deep office ethics verus common morality.  Confronting your co-worker verbally in private maybe taken as show of strength perhaps even agression.   A good course of action would be to confront her in front of your co-workers in calm and even tempered logical manner.  If she doesn't like you and spreads rumor she'll come out as agressive or defensive.  The calmer your stay saying comments like "Your behavior lately has been childish and unprofessional."  and "Such action is unwarrented, if you have greivence against me bring it to my attention and we can work it out"  Nine times out of ten the other person will come out with defensive remarks making them look bad.  They might even reveal their problem with you.  Good luck  and stay calm rumours can only bring you down if you sink with them.
485810
Read "The Articulate Executive" by Granville N. Toogood (yes, that is his real name). An excellent book for fine tuning communication and leadership skills in the work place or whatever situation in life.
426781
Definitely try to see how everyone is dressed there before you go to the interview, and do your best to dress accordingly. Be very well mannered and avoid use of slang for an office type job. If your personal life or relationships are mentioned, NEVER entertain them. Tell them your personal life remains personal. Some Human Resource directors use this step to find out how gossipy you may be.
469871
I find it best to be very positive every minute of the day.  Sucking-up to the person who does the promoting also , sadly helps.  Don't gossip or listen to gossip.  Talk about events, places, things, but NEVER people. If you deal w/customers or clients, constantly go over & beyond the call of duty... it will get back to your supervisor.  Good Luck