I'm sitting in a hotel lobby waiting for the shuttle to whisk me back to the airport. Two young men, recent grads I think, are sitting a few feet away engaged in a heated conversation. One says, "I don't care, I'm not gonna play the politics.” The other adds, "I know what you mean. That’s why I left my last job. I hated the politics."

As they count off a collection of "hypocrites, backstabbers and suck ups" they have known, the airport van finally arrives. On the way to my terminal, the van driver, a nice-enough guy, tells me it's his last day -- turns out he "can't stand the politics anymore.” I sure hope the pilot likes his job!

Since the beginning of time, politics have been a part of every human equation, even within families and friendships. Politics force us to make choices about “the means" to "the end.” Politics are the means; power is the end. But it is in the workplace that politics find their most fertile breeding ground, because the players all seek very similar ends -- personal success, professional growth, financial security.

Many people believe the end always justifies the means -- and they'll do anything to win the prize -- while the rest of us wrestle with the trade-offs. We view politics as conniving end-runs and backroom deals perpetrated by power hungry self-promoters willing to step on anyone to get ahead. We exempt ourselves from such manipulative and underhanded behavior, instead holding our heads high, turning the other cheek and, proudly, refusing to play.

So why is it we become so resentful later when our careers begin to stall?

Could it be that by refusing to play, we are able to avoid conflict that might compromise our principles and integrity? This is akin to "taking our ball and going home!” We gain a temporary reprieve, but the challenge still remains. And in the process, we may be perceived as someone lacking a critical career management skill, untrustworthy of confidences and critical information and, thus, unpromotable.  Play or not play, the game still goes on!

Politics exist anytime two or more people work together. People don't always behave in logical ways, but as human beings, they can be counted on to behave in psychological ways. As such, issues of ego, esteem and self-interest are ever present. What most of us dismiss as "politics" involves some action or behavior, often a misunderstanding or miscommunication. To successfully navigate in the political arena, we need to accept that "human behavior" is a critical variable in the workplace and learn to interpret it appropriately.

Here are a few pointers to help you improve your political instincts at work:

Study the human dynamics present in your workplace. Observe managers, colleagues and staff -- who eats with whom? works out together? commutes together? Read the body language of co-workers as names and assignments are mentioned.

Cultivate the grapevine. All information is not necessarily personal gossip. Probably 80 percent of it is business-related. Gossip can sometimes be an intentional leak by top management of information we should know. Don’t believe everything you hear, but be alert for rumors that may later become fact.

Learn the organizational history. You can't easily build a future without respecting the past. What happened before you came along? Where are the bodies buried? Who are the survivors? How has the structure shifted?

Build critical relationships. Don’t waste time on your enemies; spend your time making new friends. Find common ground with others. Help others get what they want. Establish affiliations of mutual advantage. In other words, surround your enemies with your friends.

Listen to conversations in the restrooms and break areas.  This informal listening will allow you to learn of birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, co-workers' loss of loved ones and so on, so you can take appropriate steps to acknowledge these events.

Communicate selectively. Trade information when it's required, but don't fan the flames of gossip with your opinions. If in doubt, remain silent. And whatever you do, don't send email that may come back to haunt you!

Link your personal goals to the strategic goals of the organization. Keep your employer's perspective in mind and do whatever you need to do to advance your cause. Just make sure you don't deliberately defame or injure another individual. Nobody wins unless everybody wins.

This may sound obvious, but if you behave decently, you'll avoid a lot of the crap.  Give credit and recognition to others -- acknowledge the small stuff -- it doesn't cost you anything and always comes back. Don’t oversell, just be natural. These subtle political tactics will preserve your integrity. You’ll respect yourself -- now, and in the morning.

Politics can be, and often are, abused in the workplace, but they can also be used to do great good. Even when you're out to get something done, not to do someone in, you have to play politics. Political savvy begets personal power. And as a career building tool, personal power can be one of the surest roads to success.

© 2000, Career Planning and Management, Inc., Boston, MA.  All rights reserved.