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Smart strategy: competing with people who grow using politics

Play corporate curveballs

The term ‘corporate politics’ is a familiar word for most of us. Some play it well and some become victims to it easily.

Play corporate curveballs


Harrish Sairaman

The term ‘corporate politics’ is a familiar word for most of us. Some play it well and some become victims to it easily. Thus, it is important for the victims and the potential victims to handle the ‘corporate politics’ well. Victims usually get upset by being left behind by those who are masters of the art — playing politics. It is hard to compete with people who this game for career growth. Here are a few tips that can be of help:  

Cure the 'pity me' syndrome 

The victims of corporate politics often succumb to the ‘pity me’ syndrome. If not, they definitely like to use it as a point of justification for their failures. Most wait and expect others to change. It is important 

for the victims or the potential victims to understand that the one playing politics with you is not going to change. Especially, if he/she is enjoying  and benefiting from politics. So, you are the one who has to bring in the shift. Instead of sulking find a mentor, a coach and  a way to either get out or grow in spite of the turbulence.

Rise above the cloud  

Always remember that the victim of politics is usually the average and the above-average performer. The champions usually fly like an eagle. An eagle flies above the clouds during a storm and hence is not a victim of the storm.  Hence fly high, become a super performer so that people have to think 10 times before playing games with you. One might say that politics stops them from being a champion. But determination and focus can change the game for you. You need to be with the right people and get mentored by them  to discover the right methods to rise, and once you rise, your competitors will no longer play politics with you. 

Gain emotional strength 

A lot of people are emotionally weak and land up creating limiting and negative beliefs. The weakness is either because of past events, lack of motivation to build strength or the kind of people they are surrounded with. Emotional strength not only helps an individual handle the politics but also helps one find a way to salvage the situation and grow.

Be a change agent

Remember that usually the ones playing politics in your workplace are filled with so much toxicity that they are unable to see a harmonious, right way of growing, succeeding and getting their work done. Though they might seem like people with a lot of power, actually they are insecure and weak, their behaviour is just a defence mechanism. If you understand this, then you can become a change agent, finding ways to build rapport with them and bring a shift in their own behaviour. This, undoubtedly, is a tough path, but certainly not an impossible one. 

It is important to be aware that the ones playing political games might win sometimes, but if you implement few of the above points, in the long run you will out rightly beat them.

Become a master influencer 

Influencing others is a key skill in life. If you want to rise and do better than the ones playing the political game, become a master influencer. If we are able to build rapport with the right and key people in an organisation, you will not be a victim — rather you will be a master influencer. Be confident enough to seek help from an expert rather than assuming that you are stuck in a rut. Get on with the 'learning habit' rather the the 'victim habit.'

— The writer is a leading motivational speaker

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