Rules for Office Politics.
Posted by matt Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:34:50 GMT
I found this on the well this morning and thought it deserved a wider audience.
If jet should find this and freak out, I tried getting in touch with you, and I'll take it down if you ask.
Dear Coworkers Playing Power Politics,
Ten rules for you to remember when playing politics:
Dear Coworkers Playing Power Politics,
Ten rules for you to remember when playing politics:
1.) Everyone else lies at least as much as you do, if not more.
2.) If you need someone's help to advance, and they go on at length how they don't play political games, they either play them without realizing it or are playing you for the sucker.
3.) Just when you think you've just done the most outrageous, dangerous and risky thing ever to advance your career, you'll discover that the folks above you think you're betting spare change and aren't taking you seriously.
4.) The most dangerous ally is one that has little to gain if you win, everything to gain if you fail, and has you convinced of the opposite.
5.) Never trust HR.
6.) Never trust "family", be it ethnic, religious or sexual orientation.
7.) If you step on someone, then later expect their help, don't trust it just because you're above them in the power structure.
8.) The structural rules from your previous company don't apply at this company.
9.) Never bet your stake against someone unless you know they have something to lose. Betting against someone already about to quit, someone who is fully vested, or someone with a rich spouse is always a bad move.
10.) If you have a mortage, a spouse and dependents, don't get in the face of someone who is single, rents, and doesn't care which school district they live in.
Yours for less lopsided political battles,
--jet
