What is OfficePolitics.com? Real People. Real Problems. Expert Advice.
Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
Is there a way to survive 'wounding the king' when the king is still in the corporation? August 2005 Dear Office-Politics, I recently read a response on your website about, "Wounding the King." I have done that myself. I addressed issues concerning the need to have 'employee diversity' at a school board meeting after being ignored by my immediate school principal and the director of personnel. The 'king' in this case is the assistant superintendent
of a school corporation. I am a teacher. He and the principal applied
a lot of pressure, also using the director of personnel. Until I began
to read your book, "Survival
of the Savvy" I had no concept of what I had done and why I was
being blocked for administrative jobs. I thought I was doing well for
the school and students.
QUESTION: Is there a way to survive wounding the king when the king is still in the corporation? Can I somehow develop a relationship with him or work around him? Thanks for your excellent website. Dear Complete Woman, Firstly, we want to thank you for integrating so much of SURVIVAL
OF THE SAVVY into your repertoire, so don't sell yourself short. We hope
you pat yourself on the back on how well you "get it:" understanding "wounding
the king," acknowledging that speaking truth to power can be done successfully
or not, cultivating relationships with those in power in order to influence
other stakeholders, discovering your corporate buzz and reinventing your
image through targeted behavior changes, and taking what looks like a
step backwards in order to take two forward. This last strategy of compromise
is what we described NFL quarterback Warren Moon doing when he left one
team's elite position to take a lower salary and backup role elsewhere,
only to soon find himself the new team's starter and hitting career numbers
along with a stellar contract. So right on, Complete Woman! A riskier tactic that is still worth
considering is to network more and show up more at events where the King hangs
out, and if the atmosphere seems right, consider making some sort of contrite
comment about wanting to be a team player and never intending to cross any
goals he had (an apology of sorts, if you've offended or blocked his
efforts). You might also make sure that all powers know that you
appreciated the job offer that was made and provide sound reasons why
you declined so that it is a gracious rejection that leave other doors
open. Optimistically, Rick Brandon, Ph.D. and Marty Seldman, Ph.D., Co-authors
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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