In office politics, you’ll get angry with people. It happens. There will be times when you feel the urge to give that person a piece of your mind and teach him a lesson. Don’t.
People tend to remember moments when they were humiliated or insulted. Even if you win this argument and get to feel really good about it for now, you’ll pay the price later when you need help from this person. What goes around comes around, especially at the work place.
To win in the office, you’ll want to build a network of allies which you can tap into. The last thing you want during a crisis or an opportunity is to have someone screw you up because they harbor ill-intentions towards you - all because you’d enjoyed a brief moment of emotional outburst at their expense.
Another reason to hold back your temper is your career advancement. Increasingly, organizations are using 360 degree reviews to promote someone.
Even if you are a star performer, your boss will have to fight a
political uphill battle if other managers or peers see you as someone who is difficult to work with. The last thing you’ll want is to make it difficult for your boss to champion you for a promotion.
Unfortunately as you write it Batali: People tend to remember moments when they were humiliated or insulted.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately because my experience is that too many learning opportunities are wasted because of experiences causing humiliations and insults. The actions causing these unfortunate experiences are not necessary conscious or malicious by intention.
I’m thinking of a teacher`s or any role model`s small non verbal or verbal “small talk” serving as a token of appreciation or respect or the opposite.
Which are your ideas to raise the knowledge and consciousness in the everyday life to avoid unintended humiliations and insults to take place?
Whichever position and wherever you are working, whether in a civil or political or in an NGO office, better relationship with fellow workers (those under & above you) is necessary for better performance of your duties.
ReplyDeleteTo avoid outbursts with anybody (fellow worker or outsider) you need to keep at least to your job description(s).
Besides, you need to have self-control and base your arguments/actions by reasoning in line with your job/organisation.
I also think, outbursts are also a result of prejudices, which if you avoid will put you in a better position to listen and act appropriately.
Finally, you are absolutely right when you say, you will need somebody at one point of your career to support you, so, better avoid building enemies and rather build friends.