How to Be Politically Savvy at Work!

Ever wonder how certain people make it to the top of a corporation or industry over others? Maybe someone has kindly leaned over towards you and whispered "it's politics." While it would be ideal for some to have their work ethic be the factor that gets them to the top of an organization chart, it just isn't that simple. It has a lot to do with politics. In a book I was reading recently they gave us 21 ways to successfully politic in an organization. Below I have listed them. Let me know what you think and if any of them have worked for you.

1. With superiors, peers, and subordinates, reach out to find the common ground; then meet them on that common ground and get to know them.

2. Give others credit, but make sure they know and see you give them credit.

3. Information is power-especially when the subject is corporate politics. Get the information by letting others talk. Then keep the information private by holding it close to the vest: no "he said, she said."

4. Help a peer find and execute a solution that achieves the peer's goal, then suggest the peer help you spread the solution around the organization-under both your names.

5. Build a reputation as a compromiser, not as someone "out to get" people.

6. Stay above the fray; Never be heard bad mouthing anyone; talk business, not personalities.

7. Be sure you are seen as approachable, and not holier than thou.

8. Make your subordinates your champions: Get them thinking positively about what they do, and they will "market" both the department and you.

9. Ask veterans and superiors for their advice. The highest form of flattery is to be looked upon as an expert and asked for help. The person asked will be grateful- and will be impressed by your intelligence. Besides, veterans and superiors do have wisdom to impart; make use of it.

10. Make people feel good-all the people you come in contact with. Make them feel important. If they go away feeling "high," they'll remember you for it.

11. Always strive for champions who will tout your excellence. There's no such thing as a true meritocracy in corporate life.

12. Pick your issues and don't get hung up on winning and playing to win all the time. Choose your battles and then let your colleagues win. Pyrrhic victories are deadly.

13. Don't take a bad day personally; leave hurt feelings at home and focus on the task. Learn from it and move on.

14. Show enthusiasm and a positive attitude, never negativity or emotion.

15. Keep private matters private. Be known as a trusted confidante.

16. Forget the notion that "it isn't enough to win; others must lose." You don't win by beating up a peer: What goes around really does come around.

17. Be a subtle suck-up. Pick your key issues; other times, agree with the boss.

18. Remember the company is not your family- vent at home not at work.

19. Trusting others to keep confidence is foolhardily. Like the telephone game, what comes back to you will not be recognizable.

20. You can't control what people say about you, but you can control what they know.

21. Treat your colleagues well-make allies even if your rivals.

-Keep Up and you can move to the top!

Taken from the book What Every Successful Woman Knows: 12 breakthrough strategies to get the power & ignite your career, by Janice Reals Ellig & William J. Morin.