Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
All too often, Machiavellian managers ruthlessly use office politics to get what they want . . . and they make good employees feel it's bad to be political. But it doesn't have to be that way!
Enlightened Office Politics takes a positive look at the political side of the workplace, explaining why office politics are inevitable, emphasizing their importance, and showing how to play them -- and win -- in an ethical, principled manner. Readers will learn how to:
Overcome negative attitudes toward office politics and view them as a force for good -- Determine whether a coworker is friend or foe -- Turn foes into friends -- Discover what motivates others -- Develop their own political skills and use them in appropriate, powerful ways -- Plan and execute an effective "political campaign" -- and more.
In the world of office politics, it's play or be played. Enlightened Office Politics proves it's possible to play to win -- and still keep a clear conscience.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 301-305) and index.
About the Author
Michael S. Dobson is an author, consultant, and popular seminar leader in project management, communications, and personal success. Deborah S. Dobson is vice president of human resources at GATX Terminals in Chicago. The Dobsons live in Chicago and are coauthors of Managing Up!
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Principled Person Meets the World of Office Politics
1. What Is Office Politics, and Do You Really Have to Care?
2. Why You Want to Be a Player--Positive and Principled Reasons for Learning to Play Office Politics Like a Pro
3. What's Going On Here? Analyzing the Other Players--and the Other Teams
4. Knowing the Battlefield--The Shape of the Political Terrain
5. How to Get...and How to Use...POWER
6. The Search for Role Models--Leadership and Office Politics
7. Political Communication from Lying to Spin Doctoring
8. The Art of Negotiation
9. Office Politics from Diplomacy to Warfare
10. Tactical Politics
11. The Rules
A Final Word
Bibliography