Surviving the People on the Job



Posted: Friday, November 12, 2010

by Torri Myler
Netrostar

Life could be so nice and easy, if all you had to do at work was do your job, no internal politics, no meetings with undecided clients, no presentations in front of the colleagues who only wait for your smallest stumble to use it as a stepping stone in their career. Unfortunately, your job requires you to use all kinds of skills to get things done and smoothly sail the uncharted waters of office life, so better learn how to survive or you’ll forever get stuck in that tiny cubicle without the smallest chance at an office with a view.

You may not want to get involved in office politics and feel that alliances and pseudo-wars are childish and a waste of energy. Unfortunately, there is no office where everybody likes all others, every idea is loved by every employee and characters allow for peace, quiet and comfort. There will always be disagreements about big things like strategy to gain anew client to small ones like what brand webcam should be purchased just like there will be groups of people who stand up against someone for no apparent reason. Steering clear is not always an option, so learn to negotiate, try to live well with everybody and don’t take sides whenever possible. And if you have to make a stand, be sure you choose the solution best for you while at the same time retaining integrity.

Meeting with clients also requires some political skills, as you might have to convince them to approve something they’re not sure about or talk them out of an idea that they’re enthusiastic about, but one that wouldn’t work, and you’ll have to do it in a way that not only doesn’t make the client angry but actually leaves them happy and grateful to be working with you. Believe it or not, but your family may prove the best practice objects for you, with different ideas you’ll have to talk your kids out of, conflicts you’ll have to mediate and solutions you’ll be trying to convince them to. The situations at home closely resemble the situations at work, just the subject matter is different, so once you observe which techniques work at home, chances are using them on the job will have very similar effects.

Not everybody is good at making presentations, but there are times you have to do it whether you like it or not. It becomes more difficult in a room of people who know of your fear or who may wish you to fail, because being aware of the negativity you tense up and have a harder time delivering your presentation. Practicing your speech at home and perfecting it until you’re comfortable you know exactly what you want to say is the key to success, but you should also consider a quick run through in the room you’ll be making the presentation in, throwing in a joke or an anecdote to loosen up, use references to real life or to celebrity gossip, to animal world or the TV series characters, so that your presentation goes from dry, factual one to interesting and spicy while still on topic.

Sometimes work seems like Survivor, where you have to outwit, outplay and outlast your boss, clients and coworkers or go home empty handed. Playing games may not be your idea of getting to stay on the job, but a couple of fair play, clean rounds are worth it, so practice, figure out your strategy and go for the job, the office and the great view from one of the top floors.

I am a web designer and a passionate writer. I write articles about computers and accessories like mini mouse or webcam. I also write articles and PR news for celebrity gossip sites.
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