Office Politics and Promotions

When mapping your strategy out for a promotion in the office, you first need to learn what kind of qualities your company actually rewards. These values can be mostly unspoken, so you need to dig in and see what they are. You can ask competitors what they think of your company and about anything they see that you as an employee may not. Also, be on the lookout for public releases about your supervisors. If country clubs or different kinds of organizations (for example such as the "Model Airplane Club" or "The Masons", or any other kind of civic club) are mentioned frequently, then you'll know that these types of things are valued within your company.

You also need to be aware of, and be tuned into "office gossip". Listen to what every one is saying and exchange information with your fellow employees occasionally. It's far better to be liked and accepted by all of the office "clicks" and be able to communicate with them then to be only associated with one "click". You can find out a lot more information this way! For example, you can find out how many job hunters are out there, (if there's a lot of people looking for your jobs, then job security is reduced for everyone in the company). Also, if someone knows that the boss is going to leave and you hear the "gossip", you will be able to apply for your boss's job quickly.

If you can find a retired mentor from your company, you are a step ahead in getting that promotion. Since he or she is on the outside of the office politics now, you can learn a lot by what the top managers did and said to rise to the top. It's not a good idea however to become close and exchange information with an active mentor in the company. These top executives almost always have loyal followers, and if any bad fallout descends upon your active mentor, then the political crisis can effect all of your mentor's follower's, including yourself!