Organizations are full of decisions and choices, some big, some small. For many of these decisions, there are no explicit rules or precedents to guide them, which is where office politics come into play. While some may view office politics with distaste, they are an inevitable part of any working environment, as people naturally seek to influence the outcome of resource allocation and decision-making processes.

However, office politics should not be solely viewed as a dirty game played by powerful individuals, but rather as an opportunity to handle these situations ethically and promote the well-being of the organization as a whole.

Difficult Decisions

When faced with difficult decisions, emotions often play a significant role in the decision-making process, even if individuals try to justify their choices based on rationality. Fear is a common emotion that can influence decision-making, as individuals may worry about the outcome and seek reassurance by consulting someone who has influence, or avoiding anything that might upset a powerful person.

However, using office politics to gain safety through patronage and advancing friends, while understandable, may not be the most ethical solution. Instead, individuals should consider the most likely result of their actions in the clear light of day and strive to promote the well-being of the organization as a whole, rather than just their own self-interest.

Allocating Resources

While companies may spend millions of dollars on complex procedures for setting and reviewing budgets to decide how resources are allocated, these decisions can never be wholly rational or objective, as the choices are too complex and uncertain. Often, there is an element of guesswork about how things will turn out, which is why office politics come into play.

Instead of tossing a coin or using a purely rational approach, individuals can use office politics to institute a process of persuasion and influence to help make a more informed decision. However, they should strive to ensure that the decision is made with the most accurate information possible, without feeling undue pressure to favor certain individuals or groups.

The Pecking Order

People are not created equal, and a natural hierarchy of power and influence exists in every group. Some individuals long for power and will do almost anything to obtain it, while others seek riches, recognition, or love. When formal means of gaining recognition and position are not enough, individuals will often exploit informal ones, such as being seen as someone “in the know” or a “mover and shaker.”

While informal hierarchies of political influence may be more influential than the formal hierarchy, individuals should strive to promote the well-being of the organization as a whole, rather than just advancing their own position. By doing so, they can help create a more ethical and civilized working environment that respects and values all employees.

Ethical Office Politics

While office politics may be unavoidable, they can be handled ethically. The basic principle of all ethical action is to promote happiness and well-being and do no harm. An ethical approach to organizational life requires self-restraint in pursuit of a greater goal: a business that operates smoothly and promotes the well-being of its employees, customers, and society at large.

To handle office politics ethically, individuals should consider the most likely result of their actions and strive to promote the well-being of the organization as a whole, rather than just their own self-interest. Rather than seeking to advance their position through patronage or favoritism, they should use persuasion and influence in a transparent and accountable way, seeking to create a more ethical and civilized working environment that benefits everyone.

In conclusion, office politics are an inevitable part of any working environment, as decisions often need to be made that are not covered by explicit rules or precedents. While some may regard office politics with distaste, they need not be a dirty game played by a few powerful individuals. Instead, they can be handled ethically, promoting the well-being of the organization as a whole and creating a more civilized and ethical working environment for everyone.