Office politics, a brief survival guide

(I started writing this post on 24th June 2010, I'm finding these things are taking me a little while now days)

A great day for woman kind here in Australia. I know many women rejoicing in the fact that we have our first Female Prime Minister. A great achievement, and hopefully something that will inspire many generations to come. As a father of two beautiful daughters, I certainly hope so. I hope my daughters have the freedom and reality to dream to achieve as much as the want to achieve. Surely there are now cracks in that glass ceiling.

However this post is not about that.

I am not a political beast, I'm not a fanatic who will pore over the virtues of each election campaign, I'm not a passionate liberal or labor man, but I'm starting to understand the idea of office politics more and more.

I am astounded that there are not courses at Universities or work readiness programmes to prepare people for this side of the work place. I remember when I first began my working life, I was shocked and kind of disappointed when I learned the reality of office life. It seemed like petty high school stuff, but maybe just maybe it is just pure human nature.

You need to be aware of it in your professional life. Get that antennae honed, forewarned is forearmed as they say. If your spider sense is tingling... listen to it. I'm not saying to be paranoid, but it isn't paranoia if people are talking about you.

The secret to survival is awareness and just being good at your job. Keep your house in order, be sure people know it is in order. Learn where the barbs are coming from and what is being said, that is the only way you can overcome things. To change views you need to know what they are first. Communication is the key, ask, hear, listen. Keep your chin up, and your head down.. (if that is possible) and keep on persevering, smiling and laughing.

Know it isn't easy, know you're not on your own, it happens all over the world, and trust me when I say... this too shall pass.