Thursday, August 28, 2008

Everybody Play The Game

That's what you're supposed to do right? At work that is. I think you're supposed to be a little savvy, work out when to just say yes, choose your battles, play nice with everyone in your particular sandpit, and, at the end of the day, leave it all behind you.

I seem to have been born without the "work" gene that enables you to do all those things. I'm definitely going to need to work on developing my teflon coating for the difficult days. All advice and tips gratefully received good people.

Anyway, nothing too tragic but I'll be Loving Friday tomorrow. For sure.

Right now, a bath, a book and some dark chocolate are the only thing for it.

14 comments:

CurlyPops said...

You've definitely picked the perfect remedy....

Liesl said...

Eeeww - office politics. I suspect its all down to how well you study and understand the machinations. The more you understand, the better your chance of self-preservation.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow :)

Michelle said...

Oh, the joys of the office...not...You're right on track,though, with the bath, book and chocolate!

Karin said...

It's a good idea to debrief in a lovely bath surrounded by chocolate.

Thank god it's Friday tomorrow!

KerriAnn said...

Hope you have a better day today. Bath, book and chocolate sound like a good rememdy - hope they helped. I too found the whole office politics hard - so you aren't alone! (for what it's worth!) Hope today is much better - at least it is Friday - woohoo!

Bec @ honi design said...

I was born without it too honey! I've never been a good game player - i always seem to be the one who thinks differently to other opinions.

I always just think about how happy and great my life is in general and I pity the people who have nothing better to do than be miserable 'yes' people and create office dramas :)

Maureen Reynolds said...

Tomorrow....after the good tlc tonight... keep mouth closed mostly. Silence does not give consent in this context but it doesn't matter if they think it does.

Things to say...if necessary.

1.You have a point.

2.Yes, I can see that.

3.I'll have to think that over.

4.Thank you for showing/telling me that.

My very-hard to-get-along-with former boss once said she could be sure of getting a diplomatic answer from me. Sometimes this means being able to say Fuck you. in a candy coated way.

Belinda said...

Hmm. Sorry to hear you had such a day. I am not much of a gameplayer myself either so not really in a position to proffer advice. I find the rules of the sandbox change alot too which does not help. Maureen's advice definitely sounds very helpful. Dark Chocolate definitely has medicinal qualities though. A good choice to cure your ills. Hope today is better.

Michelle said...

Oh you poor thing! I totally couldn't play the game well either - most of the time I just kept my mouth shut and retreated into the corner, but then in the last job I had, I was accused of being anti-social and a loner because of my self preservation tactics.

Sometimes you can't win. But getting people to a) put things in writing and b) put the deadline in writing always gives you the upper hand. You're not playing the game, you're just getting to know the rules.

Anastasia said...

yes i agree and Im probably the same as you...i guess communicating how you feel but that can be confronting sometimes...well for me it is.
We really need to leave it all behind when we close that office door and head home...its not worth thinking about over and over...hugs to you!

Anonymous said...

I think dark chocolate cures everything and they say a nice cuppa is a good one too. Enjoy yr Friday

Bec said...

I must admit that I am very glad I have not had to deal with this sort of thing for the last few years. The great thing about being at home with kids is that your 'workmates' (ie. the kids) are totally transparent, say exactly what they think, and never hold a grudge after we've argued then made up. And I never feel resentful about altercations. When they're over, they're over, and I don't think of them again (unlike my old job where I would replay incidents over and over in my mind). I used to work in Government, so I was a bit of an expert at the 'smile and nod' tactic. (The show Hollowmen is right on the money **shudder**)....:P
Hope the chocolate and bath worked their magic :)

alice c said...

That Maureen ... she knows what she is talking about. I am going to memorise those phrases so that they will pop into my head during sifficult situations.

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Sounds like your chocolate, bath and book were a good plan. After having worked for myself for so many years, I find all the office politics hard to follow and quite silly. Sorry, I can't give you much advice on that one, though I like Maureen's suggestions. The one we use at work is "I'll take that into consideration."