Apolitical

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course is designed for those who could use some advice with staying apolotical in the office.

Objective: Learn what not to do, and to be yourself in the workplace.

If you cannot stand office politics, because of your temperament or for other reasons your best bet is to remain apolitical in your work environment. Some would say that staying out of the political games is a mistake, but if that is your decision then here are some tips:

Rule number one: Always, always, always be yourself. Do not be two-faced, or talk behind people's backs, don't gossip, and be the same person with your supervisors, your peers and your insubordinates.

Rule number two: Let others see your motives plainly. Hidden agendas put you in the middle of office politics and make people suspicious and judgmental. Part of this means not being afraid to tell people the truth when they ask for your thoughts on an upcoming project, or a project evaluation. Telling the truth can be a little uncomfortable if there is something unpleasant to be said, but saying it in the right way is always better than lying.

Rule number three: Don't be that obnoxiously stubborn person in your office who can't seem to understand anyone's viewpoint except his own. Just don't do it. Be flexible instead and hear other people's ideas, concerns and criticisms. This will help you avoid making enemies and instead people will enjoy working with you.

Here are a few more general practices to incorporate in your plan for being apolitical:

Always be a good listener and accept ideas that come from others when they are better than your own.

Don't let your ego and desire for glory get in the way of you doing your job and working well with others. If others sense that your ego or your "making history" is all you care about, then won't want to work with you, won't trust your ideas and will make an enemy of you.

Keep your mind on the issues at work rather than the politics to help remain productive.

Last, but far from least. Don't be a gossip. Cubicle walls and bathrooms stalls are very thin, and the object of your gossip will find out what you said, except it will probably be a worse version than what originally came out of your mouth. That's the nature of gossip.