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Dignity and money...or maybe dignity vs money...and office politics

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  • Dignity and money...or maybe dignity vs money...and office politics

    Here's an interesting one...

    The other day I was "talking" (via IM) to a co-worker of mine.

    I was basically telling her that I don't feel like I have "Much of a Future"(TM) here at the current workplace.

    She basically told me in so many words that I have to "play the game" to get ahead. That's part of the problem. I know there's a "game" being played, and I know the basic mechanics of the game (i.e. I know how the game is played), I'm simply choosing not to play.

    She said I need to butter up my manager more. I think the manager is a good guy, and I think he tries to be fair, but I still don't see much of a future here.

    She also told me that I need to "get to like the taste of @$$" (in other words, be an @$$ kisser).

    I did mention to her that I'm not into "office politics", because it's grating to me. This is why I want to learn about Machiavellian stuff, persuasion, and other things having to do with psychology and the human psyche. So at least I can maybe "detect and deflect" (TM).

    She said if I want a promotion, I basically have to play office politics, but she positioned it as "selling yourself". Then ended with this: "So you have to decide what you want -- dignity or money."

    And then, once I mentioned that I might try to sell apps "on the side", and maybe build a website to try to sell it "on the side", she said, "That's probably your best option".

    It was an interesting exchange.

    ----------------

    Just putting this out there for general conversational purposes.
    Skilled programmers aren't cheap. Cheap programmers aren't skilled.

  • #2
    It's an interesting topic.

    I've worked in places that were all about merit, and places that were all about politics. The merit places were by far the better workplaces.

    I know how to play the game, and I refuse. I have too much self-respect. Either move me up the ladder because you like what I do, or leave me alone where I am. I'm too old and too stubborn to change now, anyway, so if they want to play personalities, leave me out of it.

    Where I work now is all about the politics. I'm so sick of seeing the gamers getting ahead, they often have no real clue as to what they're doing, and just drive the place into worse disarray than before.

    One advantage I have is that I have a very finely-tuned BS and manipulation detector. There are also a few folk in undeservedly high places that have gotten there by scheming, and I know who they are so I know what to watch out for. I'm also not afraid of saying what needs to be said, which a lot of people don't expect - I may look like a meek and mild 50+ lady but I'm very much not.

    There's plenty of literature online about office psychopaths, narcissists and office politics. Google it up, have a read and compare the behaviour to your colleagues. It will help no end.

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    • #3
      I will just leave this there

      Shall We Play A Game??

      Last edited by Racket_Man; 11-18-2016, 05:40 AM.
      I'm lost without a paddle and headed up SH*T creek.
      -- Life Sucks Then You Die.


      "I'll believe corp. are people when Texas executes one."

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      • #4
        It's a personality thing. Some people are great at the ass kissing necessary in many workplaces. Some of us aren't. I have no patience for it.

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        • #5
          Quoth LesserSouthernFroglet View Post
          I've worked in places that were all about merit, and places that were all about politics. The merit places were by far the better workplaces.
          This fits in with something I've read: in the military, there are some Generals whose careers advance during peacetime. There are others whose careers advance during wartime. A very rare few succeed under both conditions.

          The first group are adept at the politics of the job, but fail in the core aspect - victory in battle. McClellan and Bragg fall into this category.

          The second group have rough edges, and fail at the politics, but have one redeeming virtue - they win battles (which is hard to do in peacetime). Grant and Forrest fall into this category. One famous quote about victory redeeming all is about Grant. When people reminded Lincoln that grant was rather too fond of his booze, Lincoln said "Find out what kind of liquor he drinks and send a case of it to my other Generals".

          The only one I can think of who fits the third category is Lee.
          Any fool can piss on the floor. It takes a talented SC to shit on the ceiling.

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          • #6
            Many years ago I read a book titled Never Work for a Jerk. Each chapter looked at a different type of crappy boss and how to deal with or work around them, if you can't avoid them. It gave me some insight into some of the crappy bosses I've worked for.
            Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
            ~ Mr Hero

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            • #7
              It's the same all over. I retired from the Navy as a First Class. (E-6)
              But I never stabbed people in the back and didn't suck the dick to get the evals.
              So I didn't make chief but looking at them, I'm glad.
              AkaiKitsune
              Sarcasm dear, sarcasm. I’m well aware that dealing with civilians in any capacity will skin your faith in humanity alive, then pickle anything that remains so as to watch it shrivel up into an immortal husk thus reminding you of how dead inside you now are.

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              • #8
                Kissing ass was definitely the way to get ahead at the swamp. That or being inept at your current job so you could be moved to a different one.

                A lot of times you need a higher-up in your corner, pushing for you to move up. That's more likely to happen if they like you personally. Being a hard worker but keeping your head down just gets you stuck in the same position because you're "too valuable where you are" or management has somebody else they want to push into that spot.
                Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Study hard. Be evil.

                "I never said I wasn't a horrible person."--Me, almost daily

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