Sometimes, with all the best will in the world, you can get caught up in office politics without even wanting to. Here are a few pointers to help you stay out of trouble’s way.
Stay open
Being open and transparent when you communicate with work colleagues will make it harder for gossipers to twist what you say or try to create a problem where there isn’t one.
You leave yourself open for problems if you only tell some colleagues crucial information and leave other out – openness and transparency makes a huge difference.
Stay out of it
Yes, the new director may be a car crash waiting to happen, but don’t get involved in conversations about it; and whatever you do don’t comment.
Get some back up
Being lonely and isolated in the workplace is no fun. You’ll need someone to speak to sometimes for advice or to get a second opinion…and to stay sane. So, get yourself some trusted allies, and confidants who you can really trust.
Don’t jump on any political bandwagons
Staying neutral amongst all the drama is the best way to avoid trouble. If you take sides too quickly, you may find yourself getting caught up in a battle you know nothing about. Battles in the workplace take a lot longer to blow over, so tread carefully.
