The Good...
Office politics can be good. Engaging in office politics can serve as a grassroots effort to advance your needs and desires. Maybe you could really use a new printer, so you mention it to your cohort in the cubicle next door. They agree that a new printer might be nice and before you know it, the office has agreed and has decided to go to bat together in soliciting funds from management to purchase a new printer.

The Bad and the Ugly...
Office politics can be bad. The snappy tune "Heard it through the grapevine" can have bad connotations in the office. Particularly, those who engage in gossiping about another co-worker's private life and those who send the message along the grapevine can turn office politics ugly...and fast!

If you're going to be involved in office politics, you better be ready to play hard ball - and deal with the good, the bad and the ugly of office politics. And, remember when you play hard ball, it hurts when you get hit!

So, how do you deal with it? Here are some tips to minimize the consequences of office politics.

1.		Never publicly criticize your boss, or any other co-worker for that matter. Obstaining completely from any such activity is the best way to stay in the clear.
2.		Critique ideas, not people.
3.		Don't belabor a small point. Pick your battles carefully and make them worth your efforts to go to bat for them.
4.		Be a good listener, but don't pass on what you hear. Everyone loves a good listener.
5.		Learn to address problems using the appropriate channels. Go directly to the source of the problem or to a manager who could address the issue. Don't be a victim.

Have you "heard it through the grapevine" lately? Inevitably, everyone becomes involved in the grapevine, sometimes involuntarily. Here are some quick tips for dealing with the office grapevine.

•		Listen to whatever is being said without getting too emotional or losing your temper. You don't know what message will get sent back through the grapevine.
•		If the information is accurate, don't go on a witch hunt to find the leak. You can't close the grapevine down, but you can put a crimp in access to it.
•		If the information is totally false, don't make a public denouncement. Nothing cuts a grapevine deeper than a completely false story.
•		Pump as much accurate information into the system as you possibly can. Prevent rumors by consistently leveling with employees. Correct false rumors immediately.
•		Communicate in person whenever you can. Memos, e-mail messages, and comments that get passed through numerous people are usually wide open to interpretation.
•		Don't try to kill the grapevine. It's human nature for people to want to exchange "inside information" about what's happening in the office. Too many attempts to manage the flow of information will make employees suspect you're covering something up.

One basic fact about office politics is that every office has them, whether they want them or not. But, whether office politics are good, bad or ugly...that's up to you!

More Resources
Office Politics Forum
AHI's Employment Law Resource Center