Question

Discuss how individuals navigate politics in organizations

Answer 1

1. Organizational roles can change rapidly. This is important to remember, whether you are happy in your current position or whether you are hoping to be promoted. A person who one day is a coworker in another department could be your next day supervisor. Seek common ground and communicate with those workers you would not typically associate with on that common ground.

2. Keep yourself aware of sensitive information. Unless the data that someone shared with you is important to a project you're working on, there's no need to share it with anyone else— inside or outside the organization. Every degree of confidence you have with the person who said you would be lost immediately if he found out that you shared it. Use discretion to avoid talking about important or personal issues.

3. Be the same person in other environments behind closed doors. If you are a trustworthy worker who is not interested in badmouthing managers, do her job well and take responsibility for her own actions, others in the workplace will value you for being reliable and open. The more respect you have for others, the less likely you will become a victim of office politics.

4. Decisions on documents and communications. If you're involved in a project that you think may be controversial or you feel that you're going to be questioned, keep track of the conversations and emails that you've had about the project. In addition to allowing you to demonstrate that proper processes have been followed and approvals have been received, you can also highlight your achievements by documenting progress and communication.

Generally, because of their strong self-awareness, emotionally intelligent nurses are more active in managing organizational politics. Even in highly specialized units, staff members may have widely varied opinions about the expertise of others on professional topics and perceptions. So try to get a clear sense of who you are, how you may differ in your group from others, how others perceive you, and how their perceptions can create barriers for you. Know that not everyone can agree with you, too.