Secrets to Winning at Office Politics: How to Achieve Your Goals and Increase Your Influence at Work

For the longest time, office politics for me was like an incomprehensible and invisible current running throughout the company. Something slippery that I couldn't grasp--even though it permeated and affected everything. The result was many politically boneheaded moves on my part. I spent a lot of time frustrated when trying to get things done that involved other people. I was continually perplexed at how people showing little skill could gain huge amounts of destructive influence. And more perplexed at how these people could retain their influence even after creating failure after failure within an organization. Office politics are a fact of life. It doesn't matter if you like them or not. It doesn't matter if you think politics are amoral or wrong. It doesn't matter if you think things should be different. Similar to the way gravity is a fact of life, whether you like it or not or think it should be different. The simple fact is that office politics exist and they affect you. This book is a tightly written guide to understanding them and using them. As soon as I got into the book, a lot of things that had left me puzzled over the years became clear. And the landscape of politics, past and present, that previously seemed hidden came into plain view. The author is very adept at breaking everything down into easily understood concepts. I also like that the book has exercises to help you assess your political strengths and weaknesses and develop political skill in a variety of areas. Some people seem to have an innate understanding of office politics. I didn't. Many don't. Those of us that don't have that understanding will find ourselves at the mercy of those that do. This book can put us on the right track to achieving the same level of political savvy. If you want to learn: how politics work in an organization, how to limit damage done by destructive people with power and how to cultivate power and influence for yourself--read this book.

I've been in the work force for over 30 years and this book taught me things I didn't know. If you've ever wondered why your having problems at work or are not advancing as fast as you would like, this book is for you. The book is easy to read and has great examples that illustrate the author's points.

On the recommendation of a collegue, I purchased this book because I was interested to know whether guidance existed as to how to 'play the game' that is workplace politics. So far, I haven't been disappointed! As you work your way through this book you find that you are able to relate the examples presented in the text to the experiences your have had throughout your working life and a lot of things suddenly become clear. Understanding what real power is in the work place, how it can be gained and lost and more importantly - how it can be utilised, will change my behaviour around the office in so many ways. It's funny, I now see 'political suicide' by my peers which basically mirror the examples portrayed within this book and I often can't help but chuckle. =) It has been an enlightening experience reading through this book, and it has been a real pleasure given it is written in a way that is easy to read and keeps you engaged (unlike a few other texts I have read lately which seem to be about authors trying their best to use as many obscure and uncommon words as possible to show how clever they are). In summary, I firmly believe this book has changed they way I will approach my working life (and in some respects even my personal life) so that I can maximise my chances of achieving my goals and being successful. Give it a go - I'm sure it will do the same for you!

I read this book before staring my new job. I feel more prepared than ever for what I need to do to be successful. This book was so thorough and content-rich, I put tabs in it and carry it with me to work . . . just in case I need to reference something or need a "refresher course". I recommend this book for seasoned professionals as well as those just entering the workforce!

The title of Chapter One in Secrets to Winning at Office Politics says it all, "Politics is not a dirty word." Office politics has always had a negative connotation but in reality it has just taken a bad rap. Secrets reminds us that office politics is simply the reality of relationships and Dr. Marie McIntyre shows us all how to play the game - honestly, ethically and successfully. McIntyre uses real life examples from her experience working for a Fortune 500 company and her consulting business to give the reader an excellent view of the real world at the office. Her straightforward yet entertaining style is refreshing and her practical advice and self-assessment questions and surveys make the book a gem. Secrets lays out in very practical and anecdotal style how one can succeed simply by understanding the unwritten rules of working with and for someone. What is unique about the book is the openness with which the subject is discussed - the real life examples are those we can all relate to as an employee, a boss, a parent, a teacher or a friend. It provokes a kind of self-evaluation that some people never seriously consider. Give this book to every high school or college graduate you know! If you are the boss, read it, and then encourage your employees to do the same. It's a keeper.