You have likely experienced some form of Office Politics. Working with different personalities, opinions, backgrounds, and values is a challenge in any environment. It is an inevitable fact that when people are working together personalities can and will clash. No one is an island, so working together as a team is incredibly important for the organization and every employee.

Office Politics it is about creating and maintaining better relationships. It is about communicating and working with your peers and colleagues in a way that is mutually beneficial. Employees who understand the positive aspects of Office Politics are better team members and end up being more successful and productive.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the purpose and benefits of office politics.
• Set boundaries and ground rules for new employees.
• Learn to interact and influence among colleagues.
• Learn how to manage various personality types in the office.
• Determine how to gain support and effectively network.
• Recognize how you are a part of a group and how you function.

Course Outline:

Module One: Getting Started

Housekeeping Items

The Parking Lot

Workshop Objectives

Action Plans and Evaluations

Module Two: New Hires

Company Core Values

Building Relationships

Encourage Respect

Setting Ground Rules

Case Study

Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: It’s About Interacting and Influencing

Dealing with Different Personalities

Build a Culture of Collaboration

Be Nice to Everyone (Not Just Those That Can Help You)

Be a Team Player

Case Study

Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Dealing With Rumors, Gossip, and Half-Truths

It’s Effects on Moral

Reinforce the Truth with Facts

Do Not Participate

Deal With it Swiftly

Case Study

Module Five: Office Personalities (I)

Complainer

Gossiper

Bully

Negative Ned/Nancy

Case Study

Module Four: Review Questions

Module Six: Office Personalities (II)

Information Keeper

Know-it-All

The Apple-Polisher

Nosey Neighbor

Case Study

Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Getting Support for Your Projects

Gain Trust Through Honesty

Be Assertive

Blow Your Own Horn

Make Allies

Case Study

Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Conflict Resolution

The Importance of Forgiveness

Neutralizing Emotions

The Benefits of a Resolution

The Agreement Frame

Case Study

Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: Ethics

Benefits of an Ethical Environment

Lead by Example

Ensuring Ethical Behavior

Addressing Unethical Behavior

Case Study

Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: You Are Not an Island

Never Burn a Bridge

Take the High Road

Trust is a Two Way Street

Don’t Hide in Your Office

Case Study

Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Social Events Outside of Work

How to Decline Politely

Rules When Attending

Meeting New People

Conversation Do’s and Don’ts

Case Study

Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

Words from the Wise

Review of Parking Lot

Lessons Learned

Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations