Office Politics - Unwritten Rules

“A good office dynamic is crucial for happy and productive workplaces. The prevalence of office politics as a cause of such severe stress is an indication that many organisations are struggling to manage their office culture."

Alex Fleming, Managing Director at Adecco.

In this edition of the CABL newsletter, we look at some key unwritten rules that are prevalent in all businesses. If you are aware of these 'hidden' rules, the better prepared you are to navigate through them and ultimately thrive through them.

1. Business Professionals who get promoted aren’t the most qualified

Climbing the corporate isn't all about performance, but image exposure and luck! The reality is that the people who have developed their political and social capital along with great performance will always come out on top. They have mastered how to work the system, and they have aligned themselves with people in the organization who have power and influence.

2. You have to make an effort to mix business with pleasure

Studies show that employees who socialize in AND out of the office are less likely to leave (as well as climb the corporate ladder faster!)! Try to avoid skipping the company's after-work drinks or aperitivo. They’re priceless networking events. When else will you get make time and see your boss or team when they are in a more relaxed setting and mood?

3. Keep your superiors in the loop

Communication is key for transparency and if your colleagues see you as someone honest, trustworthy and straightforward, they will value you all the more. Telling your boss everything that’s going on at work – whether it’s good or bad. If you can position yourself as someone that has their communication lines open, that can deliver constructive criticism where it's needed, your worth will shoot up in the eyes of your colleagues and bosses. 

4. The unwritten rules are constantly changing. 

Another challenge to the unwritten rules of office politics is that the rules are always changing! Just when you’ve figured out what rules are sacred to your boss, they change the rules and what was acceptable yesterday will not help you move forward tomorrow. When change seeps through, often by leadership; the status-quo shifts. It’s a full-time job being alert and assessing the everchanging priorities key decision-makers make. Make yourself be comfortable with the ever-changing landscape.