The Executive Doc

Hi Exec Doc

I have moved to an international marketing role which I chose to be closer to my widespread family and I just cannot believe the office politics that go on. I have to work along side a director who is on top of the market to learn how to sell the company overseas, but he is driving me crazy. I do not want to give up this job and I know I will succeed eventually but I don’t know what to do about this executive I have to work with.

Fed Up with Office Politics

Dear Fed Up with Office Politics

Unfortunately this is a frequent situation for co-workers to put up with an executive who has less than desirable traits but holds specialist knowledge in the company. I think that you probably have a Mediocre Executive on your hands and you can learn more about this type of manager here. Essentially this manager has developed office politics to a fine art and it has taken many years to do so. It is highly unlikely that the manager will change. Usually it takes a huge event to impact on their lives to see any meaningful change of behaviour. We are specialists in this and can do it, but you are a co-worker and it is out of your reach.

So what you have to do is protect yourself and develop behaviours that do not escalate the manager’s destructive activities on your career. So here are a few tips to help in the short term. The idea is to suck out as much information as you require to fulfil your new role and leave this manager as soon as your learning period is over.

Tip 1. Do not engage in any politics of your own. This means do not listen to gossip, do not promote gossip. Answer anyone who is wanting to involve you in the war against the manager and say “Sorry, am so busy right now….” If you say this enough times to a person then they get the gist that you truly are not interested and they will move on to someone else who is more amenable.

Tip 2. When your executive starts the office politics and talks about it to you, again use the time delay tactic. “Sorry, have to go now…”

Tip 3. When you are witnessing malevolent actions against another worker. Find time to talk to this person one-on-one and comfort them “I saw what happened today and I just want to say that I thought it was unnecessary.” Do not add fuel to the fire by adding “I dislike this person too.” as it creates a ‘justified’ reaction and the politics get worse.

Tip 4. Avoid the executive at office parties etc however, do not stay with only one co-worker, you will look like you are forming a faction, so spread yourself around everyone who is there and talk pleasantly.

Tip 5. Never perform any malevolent activity yourself. This includes if the executive commands you to do so. It is imperative that your own behaviour becomes tainted by this executive.

Tip 6. When quizzed by the executive upon your office relationship with the ‘hated ones’, just point out something that is good about them for instance, “Oh I just find his/her work in this very interesting.” You do not have to say why, there is no law to force you to state your evidence.

Tip 7. As soon as possible remove yourself out of the executive’s power base, this means perhaps taking up other roles or regions that you previously did not think about. Protecting yourself against harm from this executive requires a lot of energy, and it is better to learn everything that there is to learn and get away from the malevolent executive as soon as possible.

Tip 8. Stay friendly but stay open and honest. If faced with a point blank question maintain your integrity. You will have to answer but you do not have to do it there and then. You can say “That’s an interesting point, I will have to think about it and get back to you.”

I have found that these activities help in the short term and hopefully will allow you some time to do what you have to do with working with this manager and remove yourself at the earliest opportunity. We all have to endure times like these that are very frustrating, but they are short lived. Be thankful that you do not have to work with this malevolent executive for the rest of your time in the company!

All the best for your future you show good values to be more in touch with your family and that is the best way to be.

The Executive Doc