DO you know someone in your organisation who seems to have moved up the promotion ladder with lightning speed?

When compared to others, he/she does not possess the requisite qualifications or skills for the job that he/she holds. So what’s that person’s secret? That answer is that he/she has mastered the art of playing office politics.

Loosely put, office politics involves manoeuvring your way through the organisation from where you are now to where you desire to be. This is done primarily by understanding who the power brokers are in the organisation and aligning yourself for greater leverage. Some people make their ascension up the corporate ladder via devious means, such as backbiting, rumour-mongering, lying to and/or with the boss.

Whatever your modus operandi, you can’t ignore or circumvent the politics in the office. Some people will fight for power, some will sit back and allow others to snatch it from them, and some with legitimate power will flex their muscles so that you know in no uncertain way who is in charge. Still, others will wait patiently for the power to be bestowed on them.

Office politics need not be negative; one just needs to know how to “read the game” and make the strategic moves.

Here a few pointers to ponder as you negotiate your office’s political landscape or land mine.

. Avoid the tendency to adopt a “godfather”. This practice, though beneficial to your career growth, can also stifle your personal development as you feel eternally indebted to your “godfather”. You may wish to move on, but feel as though you are being ungrateful as this person has paved the way to your successful journey up the corporate ladder. If you decide to move on without his/her blessing, you may experience some discomfort outside of the organisation, -especially if “daddy” has connections in high places.

. Choose a mentor. Ensure that he/she has your best interest at heart and will guide you accordingly. Ensure, too, that this person exhibits a high degree of integrity and a passion for hard work. Look, listen and learn.

. Avoid “sucking up” to the boss. Supplying the boss with gossip in order to gain favour is one way that some people use to get “upstairs” quickly. The truth is, however, that when the boss gets tired of having you up in his/her face, he/she will drop you like a tonne of bricks; you won’t know what hit you.

. Go to school. Qualify yourself and ensure that any job you hold, you are qualified for it. Do not give anyone the opportunity to boast that they gave you a “bly” and that you owe them.

. Set short, medium and long-term goals. Look at the organisational structure of your company and see where you would want to be in five years. Talk with your manager or mentor and work out the strategies you will need to employ to get there.

. Develop good relationships with all your co-workers. Don’t forget the “little people” like the office attendant, security guard, canteen staff, maintenance staff, etc. These people can play a critical role in your rise in the organisation.

. As you ascend the corporate ladder, shake a hand as you go up. You can never tell if and when the tide will turn and you will need those hands to help you up when you fall to the ground.

. Own your own car and house. Top managers in some organisations enjoy perks, such as company-owned and maintained vehicles and houses. The advice here, if possible, is have your own so that in the event of a separation you don’t have to be humiliated when you have to hand over the company’s property.

. Be helpful. Give a helping hand when you can and avoid playing to the gallery. The people who should see you will make note of your sincerity and reward you in time.

. Watch your mouth. Bad-mouthing your organisation is akin to career suicide, at least within that organisation. If you are dissatisfied with the organisation and there are no signs of change, don’t hesitate to move on. No amount of political manoeuvring will get you moving up; don’t wonder why you’re always overlooked for a promotion.

. Keep in mind the Jamaican proverb “the same knife that stick sheep, stick goat”. Don’t be too hasty to bring down someone. Life has a way of dishing out the same treatment to us. You can never tell, it might just end your “political” career.

. Develop a reputation of being fair and honest. Be consistent in and out of the organisation. These are excellent qualities to inculcate in your daily life and are desirable qualities in a manager/supervisor-to-be.

. Be careful of the person or people you align yourself with. You may just be moving with the wrong crowd that might be stifling your career growth and development.

. If your supervisor is standing in the way of your promotion, sit with him/her to find out what issues he/she has with you. If they are baseless, then you may have to get around him/her by convincing his/her peers and superiors that you possess the requisite skills and competencies for the job. Someone will observe and make the recommendation.

. Avoid a fight/confrontation. Let your work speak for you. Defend your right to be heard and seen. Be assertive, but not aggressive.

If you are lucky you may have a job created for you. But me mindful of these “created” posts as they have a way of tying you down in the organisation and preventing you from exploring other career opportunities. In these harsh economic times, many businesses are re-sizing and downsizing, and some people may be asked to resign or their positions made redundant to reduce the payroll. Don’t take it personally; it’s just one of those painful management decisions that the CEO has to make. Move on with your life.

Wayne Powell is a human resource professional of more than 10 years. He may be contacted at crisscounsellor@yahoo.com