[phantomworker]

Anyone have advice on workplace politics?

[phantomworker]

New job, new survival strategies ping?

[EveningStar]

in the early days, it's wise to be cordial and upbeat with everyone, and unguarded with no one

Smart advice. Also, if you want to see how people plot and scheme in the workplace, watch Survivor. :D~

[MotleyGirl70]

In this season that launches a new class of graduates on their careers, here's a tip: It's not just about the work — it's about the people.

Universities need to teach a course in workplace etiquette. Most new grads have a complete lack of basic professionalism.

This mean speaking on the phone, saying "please" and "thank you" when appropriate and dressing properly.

Many people look like they just rolled out of bed. Some may as well their p.j.s to work.

I've seen it time and time again.

[MotleyGirl70]

Anyone have advice on workplace politics?

Simple:

MYOB=Mind your own business. If you hear any good office dirt, just keep it to yourself.

Don't get involved in office squabbles. Especially women ones. Women are extremely caddy.

Don't spill alot of your personal stuff. People are gossipy.

Remember just because you work with these people doesn't mean you have to be friends with all of them. That said, don't be anti-social either.

Don't date co-workers.

Go into work with as good of an attitude as you can, try to get along, do your work, FReep and then get the hell outta there!

Most importantly; DON'T GET DRUNK AT THE OFFICE (CHRISTMAS) PARTY LIKE THIS GIRL!

[NonLinear]

Anyone have advice on workplace politics?

Eyes: open
Ears: open
Mouth: closed


BS is too cheap and too plentiful to be profitable

People who talk a lot about how good they are, aren't

Performance talks loudest

Personal problems are just that and should stay that way

Don't get your honey and your money from the same well
Don't be afraid to do something that you don't already know how to do.

Read the instructions BEFORE asking the question

If you ask a question (esp in a meeting) and the answer you get does not make sense, ask it again.
Example: I had a guy insist that his process used 900 BTU/ton to pyrolize municipal solid waste. He repeated it 3 times (because I kept saying, "I'm sorry to beat a dead horse, I must be very dense, but this number doesn't work for me.") He insisted that was correct, and the literature value. After the 4th try, it turned out he really meant 900 BTU/lb - he was only off by a factor of 2000. His first value would only raise the temperature by a degree or two at the most.

"That's not my problem" helps neither the company nor you to succeed.



Oh yeah - don't get drunk at the company party.

[potlatch]

it's important to do a personality scan to get a sense of the lay of the land:

I especially liked the one where the Pointy Haired Boss asked Dilbert what the clip was for on his new pager. Dilbert told him to clip it to his ear, lol!

[MotleyGirl70]

Great thread. I'll bump it once for tomorrow.

I'm way past bedtime.

G'night all! :)

MG70

[GSlob]

Unless you do not need such advice, already knowing all there is to know about it - avoid the morass as much as possible. He who handles sewage, picks up its stench.

[martin_fierro]

Anyone have advice on workplace politics?

If keeping your head down, showing up every day, working your butt off and otherwise doing your job the best you can isn't enough to save your job, screw 'em. They're worthless Liberals anyway.

[Gingersnap]

Here are the biggest mistakes I see:

Act like you are a intern. Dress down, come in late, blow off the administrative assistants, spend loads of time texting your friends and your Mom.

Say everything you think right away. Detail your personal life - especially your weekends. If you have a minor illness or food issues of some kind, make sure everybody knows about it right away. Pass along all gossip immediately and pump others for more details.

Pretend your Mom or your roommate will check your work. Never double check figures or spellings. Assume the spell check feature is right 100% of the time. Never check dates. Rely the ESP of others to make sense of your emails and reports. If you normally text a lot or use l33t, assume everybody does.