Need help learning how to be better organized in an office and how to handle office politics

by Elsewhere 10 Replies latest jw friends

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  Elsewhere

  I'm starting to take on more and more responsibilities at work, which I'm happy about, however I keep finding myself bumping into problems where it is obvious I *should* have handled something one way as opposed to another... or I should have interacted with another group one way instead of another.

  Does anyone know of any "self help" books that I could read to learn about such things?

  To give some context, I work in one of those massive multinational corporations that most people have never heard of. Because of the scale of the business it tends to be a very formalized environment. I need to better understand those sorts of formalities.
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  Heaven

  Elsewhere... at my company, the Stephen Covey books '7 Habits Of Highly Effective People', 'First Things First', and 'Principle Centred Leadership' are recommended reading.

  While these are all excellent books that I would highly recommend, to deal with your immediate situation you may want to look into asking someone at your company to 'Mentor' you. It doesn't have to be formal if you don't want but if there is someone who is experienced in the company that you feel comfortable with that you could go to for advice on these matters, that may be your best option. Does your company have a 'Buddy' or 'Mentoring' program? Perhaps ask your manager if no one you work with knows.

  I informally mentor people that I have worked with in the past and also presently work with. The 'mentees' have always found it to be helpful to have someone to go to that they feel comfortable with and that they can trust.
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  Elsewhere

  Heaven, thanks for the info!

  As a mater of fact my company does have a Mentoring program, but I really have no idea how it is supposed to be executed. Right now my Mentor is my Manager and I'm not sure if that is the best way of doing this. (I like the guy and he is always helping me improve).

  I recently did my annual review with my manager (things went well). He and I have discussed this topic in the past and in my review meeting he recommended I read up on "Soft Skills". To give you an idea of just how clueless I am about such things, I didn't even know such a concept even existed or that there was even a name for it!

  I'm you're classic "very smart technical guy with poor common sense". Sometimes I suspect that in first grade the teacher passed out a Book of Common Sense to all of the students... only I was out sick that day and never got mine. I’ve always imagined it to look like one of those huge old leather bound dictionaries you see sitting on a pedestal at the library.

  Just before reading your post I purchased two books from Amazon.com:

  • The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They'd Learned Sooner
  • 21 Dirty Tricks at Work: How to Win at Office Politics
• 

  JeffT

  Ask your manager if the company would pay for you to go to a one or two day seminar in time management and/or organizational skills. If you're in a large company the odds are good they will. Even if they won't, you've sent a signal that you know you need to work on something.

  The task list in microsoft outlook can be your friend. If you aren't using it now, start. I put everything into my task list. Tip: put in your reminder for a day or two ahead of the expected completion date - it doesn't do you any good to have something pop up when you turn the computer on: "1000000000 page report due today" when you haven't started.

  I also create a separate manila folder for every task that contains my notes, demands from the boss, invoices from the vendors whatever. That way it's all in one place. I had a draw in my desk or file cabinet for all the folders.

  Hope it works out, which I think it will. The first step in being a good employee is knowing what you need to work on, and working on it.
• 

  Heaven

  Elsewhere... I personally don't think your manager is a good choice as a mentor since you may not feel free to express yourself and he may not be available when you need him. Regarding a formal 'Mentoring' program, it should be a choice... people are matched up according to certain criteria, including the Mentor having similar experiences to the Mentee so that empathy and understanding are used to create a bond that facilitates the process. I feel that if there is someone you work with that may be a bit more experienced in office etiquette, etc. this may be a better choice.

  The first book you purchased sounds like it may be helpful but be careful with the second. 'Dirty Tricks' can backfire on you if this is indeed part of the content of the second book.

  One suggestion I would have is when handling any sort of political situation, keep it professional and keep the emotion out of it. This can be difficult to do but with practice, it has some amazing results. I have a Technical Advisor who gets hot under the collar at times and I just dial back my urge to become defensive and respond in like kind. What I do is I assume a calm and rational tone while he's freaking. He usually comes back down to earth when he realizes he can't get a rise out of me. So basically, treat people the way you wish to be treated. Where have we heard that before?
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  besty

  email your CEO with an 'open letter' describing your frustrations and ask for a 30 minute 1-2-1 with him/her to get their insight

  you may get fired or you may move your career in ways you can't imagine :-)
• 

  SnakesInTheTower

  I suck at office politics.

  I sucked at congregation politics.

  Best I stay out of management.

  One tip: When writing emails, let it sit for an hour, re-read, edit, sit another half hour...then hit send...I lost a good job because of the "tone" of an email....(in reality I didnt play well with others even though I was outstanding in my job and saved the company tons of money on billing issues.)

  Snakes ()
• 

  Elsewhere

  > careful with the second. 'Dirty Tricks' can backfire on you if this is indeed part of the content of the second book.

  Don't worry... I hate politics and dirty tricks (it's just not in my nature). I want to learn how to deal with people who are trying to pull that crap on me.
• 

  oompa

  heaven nailed it with the Covey books....esp 7.....but try and get a higher up in the sack for a good time!!.......oompa.......
• 

  serendipity

  I'm task-oriented rather than people-oriented and I've found it difficult and distasteful to deal with politics.

  A few books that helped me:

  1. Games Mother Never Taught You- Corporate Gamemanship for women (an oldie but goodie)

  2. The Secret Handshake

  3. Talking 9-5 - deals with communication differences between males and females. (Oddly enough, this helped me understand my female managers better - and I'm a female)

  A few things to keep in mind:

  Politically savvy people work from the outside in. They look at the person, group or audience; determine the characteristics or requirements of each situation and then select from their skills and styles to find the best approach. It's important to read people and be flexible.