Separate Politics From Social Activities

1) Office politics are adverse reactions to change.

2) If someone is against your plans for change, ask them to sit on your advisory board so that they can provide input.

3) If another department is raising obstacles to your department's activities. Invite them to your weekly staff meeting as the best way to keep them informed and in the loop.

4) Make a point of hiring from outside your department to fill positions.. This is following the age old tradition of marrying your opponents daughter.

5) Never stop communicating with your opponent, even when it comes to 'blows'... there's a REASON countries keep embassies open for as long as possible.

6) ALWAYS separate politics from social activities. ALWAYS make a point of having a personal relationship with your peers. Obviously these are best put in place prior to conflict.

7) The opponent is ALWAYS right from their perspective. Understanding, NOT guessing, what their concern is, is the first step towards re-conciliation.

8) Ignore the culture (the accepted way of doing things) at your peril.

9) NEVER use e-mail to attempt to resolve a conflict. A face to face meeting is worth it's weight in gold.

10) NEVER put in writing what you'd not say to someone's face.


Peter de Jager
Keynote Speaker & Consultant & Writer

Regular columns in:
CIO Canada/Computerworld Canada/Event Horizons
ABA Banking Journal/Managing Change & Technology

Peter de Jager is a Keynote speaker, consultant and writer. His columns appear in Computerworld Canada, CIO Canada and the ABA Banker's Journal. You can contact him at pdejager@technobility.com or via his site at www.technobility.com.

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