Office Politics ..Survival Of The Fittest …

It may sound simplistic, but the best way to keep growing and increasing your knowledge base is to keep a job. It’s about disciplining yourself. Many a job is lost because people talk too much, talk to the wrong people, or lack the ability to read situations. Too often I hear about some foolishness that causes someone to lose a job. It happens to managers, workers, and even to HR employees (You'd think if anybody knew better, it would be them.) Stupidity and lack of forethought seems to still be a problem among human beings.

Millennials, Generation X, Gen Z, Baby Boomers ...
Different generations point fingers at each other, as if their generation is better than the other. Quite frankly, regardless of when you were born or how long you’ve lived, there've always been people who just don’t get it. With all the technology and increased ways to communicate, a lot of people still can’t maneuver their way through the workplace to keep a job.

Get A Clue ...
Radio stations are a community of fragile egos, and it takes time to understand the people you work with. In a perfect world you would be judged by your work, and it would be all for one and one for all in the work place. It just does not work that way. Your ability to handle politics and avoid office pitfalls will keep you employed. Usually, it's Office politics that will get you fired ... not ratings. You'll have to test those who approach you to make sure they have good intentions. The keys are caution, patience, and time.

Watch What You Say ...
On a daily basis, co-workers consciously or unconsciously interrogate each other. These casual conversations can become the basis for gossip. It can take on a life of its own. Spreading gossip can be intentional or unintentional. It's like the game where people sit in a circle and whisper a story to the person next to them, until it returns to the first person who initiated the game. Many of the facts will differ from the original story. It's like one of those fishing trip stories, where the three-pound bass that got away is 15 pounds by the time the story is told back home.

Don't Get Lax ...
Exposure to office gossip is constant. Never repeat what you hear or offer an opinion during one of these informal chitchat sessions. Some people love to use others as pawns to spread rumor and innuendo. If you ever find out that you are the subject of gossip, act dumb and never address it or change any of your behaviors towards others. Acting out of the ordinary such as trying to buddy up with the clique that started the gossip will only give some credence that the rumors are true.

Simply Listen ...
Be a compassionate listener and fight the urge to offer an opinion on work or a fellow employee. Smile and use a lot of noncommittal phrases like: "No kidding." "I hear you." "Really?" "You think so?" "I don't know enough about that." "What do you think is going to happen?" "We'll see." "Can you believe it?" etc., etc. There are many things that you can say to stay out of the fray and remain above it all.

Work The System ...
You want to be judged solely by your work. Be a team player and stay focused and friendly. Attend company gatherings and participate in spontaneous station celebrations such as ratings parties. In either case, do not get drunk, and be careful what you say. Be on guard, even with people you trust. Overheard off-color party jokes can turn into gossip and an office political nightmare. Do not be paranoid but use discretion. If you bring someone to one of these functions, make sure you explain to them what not to do. Going to lunch or an occasional happy hour with co-workers is fine. But keep your defenses up.

Eventually ...
After a certain amount of time, a few actual friendships will develop. These bonding experiences will be special and probably last a lifetime. How will you recognize true office friendship? Hopefully, after avoiding all the pitfalls, you will know an actual olive branch when it is offered. The best advice is to test the person to make sure you are right.

Things That Cause Issues At Work ...

• Jealousy -Someone just does not like you.
• Misinterpretation -Something said is taken out of context.
• Ignorance - For no particular reason, someone spreads gossip.
• Miscommunication – A misunderstanding of facts or an assumption without rechecking the original source.
• Deflection -Someone attempts to keep the heat off themselves by trying to refocus others on someone else.
• Misdirection -Purposely shading the facts to throw others off track of the truth.
• Somebody wants your job and is willing to say or do anything to get it.

Key For Surviving The Office Place ...
You must learn how to survive the hallways and zoom calls. It’s still about relationships around the workplace and controlling your narrative to stay employed. Try to keep things close to the vest, and only tell people what you want them to know about you. Keep your personal and business lives separate. If you can learn how to handle in-house office politics, you actually get a chance to get some work done.