Any advice on how to deal with ';office politics';?

i just started a new job and it is in an office environment. In the few weeks that i have been there I have already noticed alot of certain cliques, groups, gossiping etc. I wanted to know if any one has any advice for me on how to deal with ceratin ';office politics';? My own advice would be to just keep to myself rather than become too friendly and then have problems with someone but i also don't want to seem snotty by keeping my distance from people? any advice?Any advice on how to deal with ';office politics';?
stay positive


don't get into the cliques


be nice to EVERYONE, every single person


you don't want to burn any bridges, you might need that person at work someday! and they will be more helpful to you if you are nice.


smile and say hello to every person when you get into work


if people start gossiping with you, try and change the subject instead of getting into it with them (this is easier said than done)


never leave anyone out


never take sides


never say bad things about anyone at work to your co-workers (i know everyone has to vent so save it for your friends or mom or whomever)


good luck! it's like that, in every workplace, so try and get your groove as the cool work girl now! you will go so much farther as the girl who everybody likes, versus the cold hard mean ******.


good luck!Any advice on how to deal with ';office politics';?
The best advice is to keep you nose clean and stay out of any office politics. Be everyones friend. If someone complains to you about a co-worker just say something like '; I am just here to work';





Just do your job and ignore the extraneous b.s.
You can ignore the politics and still be polite.





Always be cordial with your fellow staff, however don't get personal and avoid being social outside of the workplace.





They will just think you are a private or shy person.
I agree with Sincere in that being too standoffish may make you a target. Light and neutral is surely the best way to go. You certainly don't have to join a clique, or go to every lunch, but once in a while will keep you in the loop, but not smother you in togetherness. And try to avoid gossip at all costs- listen if you must to be polite, but don't join in. It can come back to bite you and be deadly.
You can be friendly with people but don't get involved in conversations that involve other co workers or make comments about anybody. Funny, an office is pretty much just the same has high school with the cliques and back stabbing!
Office politics just gets people into a lot of trouble in the end. After being in an office environment for 11 years I have come to the terms that I will tell it like it is and let them take it at their own will. With your situation, they are just testing you to see how trustworthy that you really are and finding faults to use completely against you. In my first couple years in the office, I just stayed to myself and only said what I needed to say. Co-workers figured out that I am not going to deal with their nonsense. Just let them talk and do their own thing. You do your own thing. You only work there. If you make friends with them, be careful and just stay on the light side of things. Don't feel like you have to trust the people you work with. They eventually are going to tell you that you are part of the ';family';. Then you still need to be very careful. Just don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe and say what you believe. I think that you will find it more useful and beneficial for you at your employment.
I generally try to stay out of it. You never know when you say something to one person, how it will get twisted out of context and passed on to others.





When the others start talking gossip and what not, I listen for a minute or 2 not too seem rude, %26amp; then make an excuse that I'm busy and have to get back to something on my desk.





Polite, but not rude way of staying out of the gossip mill.
Be friendly to everyone in general. I would concentrate on your work.


Do not allow yourself to become involved with all the office politics.


Keep busy, management will notice. After all you are being paid to work.


Walk away from those that are complaining.


If they come to you asking for your imput, or advice explain to them that you are busy and have no time to listen to their concerns or complaints, that you were hired to work, and if they have concerns maybe they need to follow the chain of command and lodge their concerns with the appropriate parties.


If they have a personal complaint with a coworker they should try to work it out with them privately, not in a group.
Best way is to keep conversations 'light', that is about 'neutral' subjects. Stay away from gossiping.


Your co-workers are feeling you out at this point, seeing if you can be trusted, gathering ammo so they can use it against you at a later date. Trying to be your friend, so they can stab you in the back.


Just try to be the best person you can, you can't please them all.


Keeping to yourself might make you a target, so you might want to mingle somewhat.