5 Top Tips on How to Survive Office Politics Kenyan Style

How To Survive Corporate Kenya Office Politics.

Yesterday morning I was among the panelists interviewed by K24 TV on the issue of office politics. During the show, we discussed what office politics entails, whether one should participate and the benefits (if any) of engaging in office politics.

In this article, I would like to address the issue of office politics because many Kenyan professionals have suffered by not recognizing the role that politics plays in their career. Some have ended up losing well-deserved opportunities; others have stagnated because they don’t have ‘god fathers’ and some have even lost their jobs due to ‘politics’.

Let’s start with a definition of office politics. In simple terms when we talk about office politics we are referring to the office dynamics that exists in terms of relationships in the work place and how individuals position themselves in order to advance in their jobs or careers.

Another way to look at it is how individuals use their influence in order to achieve their set objectives in the work place. Objectives range from getting a promotion, transfer, or on the negative like ensuring a coworker doesn’t succeed.

Relationships at the office can be defined by many aspects. They are those we relate with very well because we come from the same tribe, or because we went to the same university. Relationships can also be defined by gender, age, and social status. In some offices, people even relate on the basis of what they earn. I also know of people who get along very well on the basis of religion.

The same way people get along well can be the basis on why others are excluded. For example, you might find people who have adopted a certain lifestyle rejecting others who don’t have a similar way of life. For example those who drink and have a ‘party’ lifestyle choose not to coexist well with ‘boring’ teetotalers.

In short, there will always be groupings in a work set up and this ‘grouping’ influence how decisions and resources are shared. The end result is office politics where individuals compete for the resources be it for money, recognition or power.

From the above, you can see that there are many ways to relate with each other and because man is a social being he or she will always favor those who belong to his/her sphere of influence in exclusion of others.

That’s why some jobs will only go to some tribes, or there’s that one gender that will never occupy a leadership post regardless of competence. Favoritism has and will always be with us and this is not going to change anytime soon.

How To Handle Office Politics Like A Pro

As a wise professional what are you supposed to do in order to thrive in a cut-throat work place where others will not hesitate to knife you in the back while smiling?

1. Accept That Politics Is A Reality. Ignoring office politics is akin to a vegetarian who assumes that a charging bull will not hurt them because of their dietary preference. People will always try to outdo each other in an environment of scarce resources.

And the office environment is a perfect environment where we are not equal. We earn different salaries, we get recognized differently and opportunities are not available to all of us at the same time.

The office environment is not a win-win situation. In most cases, someone has to lose in order for you to progress.

Unless you want to sit pretty and wait for things to happen to you (in which case be prepared for the good and equally bad) office politics is something you need to pay attention to and sometimes actively participate.

2. Understand Office Relationships. The biggest mistake professionals make is concentrating on their work only. 80% of your time at the work place should be spent on delivering whatever you were employed to do. The rest and depending on how political the organization you work for is should be spent on studying and understanding the various dynamics and relationships that exist in the office.

This is important more so when you join a new organization.

In the work place, it is extremely naïve to believe that doing your job well is a sure ticket to promotion or career growth. Studying the relationships will help you discover the powers that be, the real decision makers, the office bullies, who you need to avoid at all cost and even how to get things done.

Have you ever wondered how some people who don’t have much to offer progress in their careers and sometimes very quickly? It’s because of mastering this ability. They know the magic buttons to touch (press), egos to massage and more importantly the live wires.

3. Have Relationships That Cut Across. The ability to get along well with others is a must have skill if you want to progress in your career. It is important to have relationships that cut across various levels in the organizations. You should ensure that you have a cordial relationship with the lowest to the highest ranking member of staff.

The majority of professionals are not comfortable interacting with others and more so if they perceive you as low ranking or from a ‘useless’ department. Others only want to associate with supervisors and other high-ranking staff members.

Some of the powerful members of staff are your juniors as they have the ear of the decision makers. I know of companies where P.A’s, Drivers, Receptionist and other ‘low ranking’ staff wield a lot of power. Having cordial relationships with everyone ensures that you are not isolated. You are also able to get information from different sources. This way you have an objective assessment of the organization as opposed to an individual who confines themselves to certain people or group.

The biggest payoff of having relationships that cut across is that you will always be in the know. While others are caught by surprise by changes in the organization, information will readily be available to you through your informal networks.

4. Avoid Office Gossip. Gossip is a big no if you want to survive office politics. It is a fact that whoever tells you about others will also discuss you with others. And oddly enough it doesn’t take long for others to label you as a rumor monger who can’t be trusted. And with the labeling, you become isolated and slowly your days in the organization are numbered.

It is okay to engage in small talk about work and on your colleagues but you should desist from talking about your boss, coworker or junior in a manner that is unflattering. Gossip spreads way faster and most importantly you never know who you can trust. A friend today might be your worst enemy tomorrow.

5. Lastly and most importantly you should let your work speak for itself. Interesting enough, people may not like you at the office, they might not care to invite you for a drink after work or their wedding but if your work is extremely good you will always have their respect and admiration.

Please take note that the keyword here is work that is extremely good. You cannot rely on your work as a strategy to manage office politics if you produce average results.

If you are good at what you do then sometimes you don’t have to ‘kiss ass’ for lack of a better word. Word travels far and wide on how good you are and management will take note and thereafter promotions and other office perks will come your way. If they are no opportunities at your current company, recruitment experts like Corporate staffing Services (Read How CSS got me a finance job) can head hunt you.

If you would like to make headway in your career then the five points above will come in handy. If you ask me you should start with the last point as you employ the other strategies. Become so good at what you do such that they can’t ignore you and even if they do another employer will be ready to have you.

The challenge with only focusing on point one to four is that office dynamics change all the time and also you will always be indebted to others for your success as opposed to crafting your own path and success.

Now go and play the game of office politics like a skilled player.

Perminus Wainaina is the Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services Ltd.