Campaigning on the Job - Robert Half Survey: Majority of Workers Say Office Politics Necessary to Advance Career

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you're running for office or just working in one, it pays to be a good politician, a new Robert Half survey suggests. More than half (56 percent) of workers interviewed said involvement in office politics is at least somewhat necessary to get ahead.

The survey was developed by Robert Half International, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 400 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment.

"There is some degree of politics at play in virtually every organization," said Max Messmer, Chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies^®, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "The savviest professionals practice workplace diplomacy. They remain attuned to political undercurrents but don't allow themselves to get pulled into situations that could compromise their working relationships or reputation."

Robert Half offers six tips for navigating office politics:

1. Build a broad coalition of support. In an effort to impress your company's power players, don't overlook those at the grassroots level. Lobby for the respect and trust of all your colleagues. Forge strong alliances by sharing credit for successes and delivering on your promises. You never know whose endorsement or vote of confidence could benefit your career in the future.
2. Avoid smear campaigns. Gossiping or outright mudslinging is only guaranteed to damage one person's credibility: yours. When you're upset or frustrated, wait until after you've calmed down to express your concerns. Be direct but tactful, focusing on facts rather than feelings.
3. Stay true to your values. It's an unfortunate truth that there are those who'll do anything to "win," but character and credibility count. You don't need to play underhanded games to rise through the ranks.
4. Connect with your constituencies. Smart candidates tailor their message and approach to the audience. Apply the same tactic to your coworkers; observe their unique work styles, priorities and communication preferences -- and be willing to adapt your approach.
5. Play by the rules. Seemingly minor slipups can have big implications on the campaign trail and at work. Avoid sticky situations by paying close attention to office protocol at your firm. If you take a misstep, make amends quickly.
6. Dodge controversy. Given that 2012 is a big election year, water cooler chitchat will inevitably veer toward the polarizing topic of politics. Proceed with caution (or politely bow out completely). Getting into heated debates about non-work issues can generate unnecessary ill will.

About Robert Half International
Founded in 1948, Robert Half International, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, is a recognized leader in professional staffing services. The company's specialized staffing divisions include Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam, for highly skilled office and administrative support professionals; Robert Half Technology, for project and full-time technology professionals; Robert Half Legal, for project and full-time staffing of lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel; and The Creative Group, for interactive, design and marketing professionals. Robert Half International has staffing operations in more than 350 locations worldwide. Find more information at roberthalf.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.

SOURCE Robert Half International