Office politics is an integral part of business life. It is inescapable and if not handled properly can derail a working environment. So in this article, we’ll be looking at how to deal with office politics as an entrepreneur.
To begin, let’s ask and answer the question, “What is office politics?” Office politics refers to when people in a workplace compete and fight for power and/or recognition. This can sometimes create problems at work. If you’re a business owner, dealing with office politics can be hard. Especially in small businesses where relationships matter a lot.
So with that being said, here’s some advice on how to deal with office politics as an entrepreneur:
1. Be Fair to all:
As the boss, be fair to everyone. Never take sides in arguments or fights at work. Treat everyone equally. Make sure to avoid the pitfalls of favouritism and nepotism.
2. Be Clear:
Be open and plain and encourage your team to speak up. They should be open, honest, and without malice. This should help to stop misunderstandings and gossip.
3. Be the Way:
You should be an excellent model of how you want your team to act. Act professionally and fairly and your team will often mirror your behavior.
4. Defines Roles and Rules:
It is essential to sure everyone knows their job, when to do it, and how to do it. This should prevent arguments about who should do what. It could also prevent workplace bullying as well.
5. Quickly Resolve Disputes:
Do not let arguments and grievances fester. It is important to seal with arguments as quickly as they pop up. Ensure to do this calmly and rationally. Ask your team to talk and find solutions. If needed, step in to help them come to a resolution.
6. Healthy Workplace:
Make your office a place where teamwork, respect, and working together are important. Reward your team when they do well.
7. Set realistic goals:
Keep your team focused on common goals. When everyone works towards the same thing, politics matter less.
8. Empower Your Team:
Let your team make decisions about their work when they can. Make that everyone’s voice is heard and their opinions matter. This should stop power struggles.
9. Write Things Down:
Keep good records of important decisions, rules, and how well people are doing at work. This helps if there are arguments.
10. Ask for Help:
Don’t be afraid to ask other experienced business owners for advice. They might have good ideas to share.
11. Stay Calm:
Running a business can be hard, and office politics can make it harder. Find ways to stay calm and deal with stress.
12. Take Action When Needed:
Sometimes, you have to make tough choices to stop bad politics or behavior. Be ready to do what’s necessary.
13. Have a zero tolerance policy:
It is important to let it be known beforehand hand that you have a zero tolerance policy towards workplace aggression. Insist that all grievances be brought out and sorted as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Remember, office politics can be tricky to navigate, but they happen in most workplaces. Your job as a business owner is to make your workplace positive and successful. By following these tips, you can reduce the problems caused by office politics in your business.
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