Short-Term Politics Not the Answer to Long-Term Career Advancement

With the 2004 presidential election less than a year away, we’ll have our fill of candidate positioning, mud slinging, chest thumping and pontificating in the months ahead.

Collectively, as a nation, we’ll be relieved when it’s over, particularly if our candidate wins. And if not, we have the consolation that it’s only a four-year term. And so it goes in politics.

But what about office politics?

The same posturing, mud slinging and grandstanding takes place, day in and day out—not just in the corner offices, but on the shop floor, the six-pack cubicles and even virtual workplaces.

While I hate to admit it, I have been both the brown noser and the one being brown nosed. And frankly, after having earned a few stripes—most of them the hard way—I like the latter better, because I can see it for what it is.

I will say, in my own defense, that even when trying to court the higher-ups, I wouldn’t do it at another’s expense. For me, it was “may the best performance win,” and in my youthful exuberance, I wasn’t afraid to point out my winning performance.

As obnoxious as that may be, a lot of people don’t operate that above board. They prefer a covert approach in their attempt to maintain status and control.

One client, a general manager for a large firm, told me that he received a call from a “colleague” who was a CFO at his previous job. Apparently, the CFO had been laid off and was calling him for help in finding a job. My client said that when they worked together, this guy repeatedly blindsided and backstabbed him in an effort to push him out and take over his position. Apparently this guy never heard the term “what goes around comes around.” Even though my client is a man of integrity and someone who takes the high road, he was not inclined to make any recommendations for this snake.

Who would? Once a snake, always a snake.

Some of the slipperiest behavior occurs when a person feels threatened, especially if they’re a prima donna. I’ve seen it many times; a person in the office is a star—MVP status and knows it—and, because there’s no competition, he takes advantage of it. He issues lots of demands with threats of quitting, and bosses feel trapped. But what’s a boss to do? They rely on this person. They’re the top salesperson, the best with the technology or the most knowledgeable about the product.

And then, a new person comes on board, who is competent, bright and a team player. So what does the “Donna” do?  If the Donna is a real Donna, he’ll sabotage the new person, either overtly or covertly. He’ll do whatever it takes to maintain his “status.” Drama, intrigue, intimidation, diversion and freezing out the newbie are a few of his tactics.

We’ve all seen it. In fact, if you’ve been the target of this posturing in office politics and the one with the bull’s eye on your back, it’s not much fun. Taking the high road can be exhausting when the arrows are non-stop. I’ve had clients who have become physically ill—ulcers and rashes and migraines—and they end up spending more time protecting their backside than focusing on their job. It feels like survival time, and it is. You’re at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy.

So here’s the coaching for the month: Sabotaging your colleagues is destructive to everyone who’s exposed to it. Not just the person who’s the target or the person who’s slinging the mud, but to everyone who is witness to it.

You might as well have a bad case of the flu and cough on the people around you. Gossip and politics are pollutants and are contagious.

Is this the environment that you want to work in?

If you’re the boss, wouldn’t you rather have people spending time focused on making a contribution to the business and being productive? Every time you turn your head when you see sabotaging going on, or if you’re oblivious to it, just remember that you might as well infect your workforce with West Nile.

If you’re a person who’s intent on being a “Donna,” good luck. Remember, the good guys win in the long run, even when sometimes it takes longer than expected.  

What goes around comes around. What’s going to come back to you?


Renee--Please insert Marty’s info.