Developing Your Office Political Savvy – Positively

When the term "office politics" is mentioned, what images and perceptions come to mind?

Do you envision:

- Favoritism
- Backstabbing
- “Makes me want to run and hide”
- Cronyism
- Self-interest
Regrettably, the connotations associated with these words often paint a bleak picture. In discussions about "office politics," a prevailing negative sentiment tends to emerge.

These terms encapsulate the dark side of human nature, which I refer to as "people behaving badly" in a workplace context. Behaviors that evoke such reactions are counterproductive and detrimental to workplace relationships. Therefore, it is natural for individuals to harbor reservations about anything that appears to foster these undesirable outcomes.