How to win at office politics

You don’t work in the doctor’s office, but you have to deal with office politics. You’re on the phone with different workers. You occasionally visit. It’s easy to create alliances, partly for your own job security. It’s good business to be friendly with workers.

But, office politics can be your undoing. You can get caught off guard and pulled into a war you know nothing about.

How do you avoid this mess? Here are 4 ways to avoid losing business by minding your own business.

1. Don’t participate. Huh? Be deaf, dumb and blind when someone starts spreading the gossip. Every office has one. Avoid them at all costs because just one slip can prove costly. After all, if they’re telling you what others say, they’ll tell others what you say.

2. Don’t repeat gossip. Let is slide off you and end there. Sometimes we want to know if something is true and ask others. Remember what we said about being an unwitting accomplice? This is how it happens. You may not think it’s harmless, but best to just leave it alone.

3. Don’t hold a grudge. I often say if I was mad at everyone who did something wrong to me over my life, I’d have no one left to talk to. It’s not productive. Let the slights or blame game go. After all, you’re not in the office that much so you can ignore things rather than live with them or settle scores.

4. Treat everyone well. Everyone treats the boss well, but how many people give the same respect to the receptionist? You’ll be surprised how much loyalty and friendship comes from common courtesy. Make everyone your hero and you’ll be a king in their eyes. And, it’s good to be king.