Slides from an online training in January 2017

1. PLAYING POLITICS
The Psychology of the Human Workplace

2. Hi, I’m Karlyn
MBA
PhD (ABD) in
I/O Psychology
Certified DiSC Trainer
Zen Workplace, Principal
Connect with me:
Twitter: @KarlynMB / @ZenWorkplace
LinkedIn: Karlyn Borysenko
karlyn@zenworkplace.com

3. There is no such thing as
an objective reality

4. You are in control of
the reality you create

7. “Whether you think
you can or think
you can’t, either
way you are right!”
-Henry Ford

9. Organizations
are much more political
than you probably realize

10. You might think
“I’m not going to play politics”

11. But whether or not you choose to play
the people around you are playing

12. When you play politics,
you can become a
change agent

13. Playing politics
will help you to
do more

14. Politics
are not (necessarily)
e v i l

15. You could think of it as
unspoken rules
of the workplace

16. We’re not talking
about an ideal

17. This is about how our brain
is hardwired to work

18. What we’re really talking about is
adapting your behavior

19. We behave differently
at home

20. Than we do
at work

21. Than we do
at church

22. or at our
kid’s school

23. When you do it, you’ll
be more effective
get more done
and be happier

24. PRINCIPLE #1
People are not
logical & rational

25. We may want people to be
logical & rational

26. but instinctively, we also
know they aren’t
We may want people to be
logical & rational

27. That’s not to say that
people don’t use data
in their decision making

28. But when they do use data, it’s
used to justify
what they’ve already decided* to do
*Unconsciously, that is

29. I was traveling and
found myself with
nothing to read.

30. I sat next to a
nice older man
on the plane.
He asked what I was
reading

31. I confessed I was
reading smut

32. He pointed to
three stories
in his newspaper about
men having affairs

33. And proclaimed
“I’m reading smut too!”

34. Think of the brain in
three parts

35. Old Brain

36. We process
11 million bits of data
every second

37. We are conscious of
40 bits of data
every second

38. Middle Brain

39. New Brain

40. The old brain
makes all decisions

41. But it consults
with the middle
& new brain

42. Decisions
are made
emotionally
and justified
rationally

43. There is no such thing as
an objective reality

44. You filter
objective info
based on
emotional responses

45. Office politics
is irrational

46. “Would you persuade,
speak of interest,
not of reason.”

47. When we rely solely on data
we fail

48. Emotion will always trump logic

49. You can choose to
fight the system

50. Or you can work in it to
get more done

51. PRINCIPLE #2
Relationships
are your goal

53. People think that influence
comes from the org chart

54. Influence from the
org chart is the
weakest type

55. You could be
perceived as an expert
by your co-workers

56. Perceived
is the key word

57. Influence perception by
building relationships

58. Relationships are
your secret weapon

59. It means you can influence
without formal structure

60. It also means you
can tap into the
emotional part
of the brain

62. Don’t wait
until you need
something

63. BREAK!

64. Register now at
zenworkplace.com/mindfulness
Bring Highly Practical
Mindfulness to Work
Learn how I increase
team productivity
20-30%

65. Register now at
mentalhealthdayonline.com
Get 50% with the promo code “politics”

70. Register now at
mentalhealthdayonline.com
Get 50% with the promo code “politics”

71. PRINCIPLE #3
People have different
natural tendencies

72. People are like
cats & dogs

79. Of course, it’s a little
more complicated

81. Dominance
• Direct
• Results-oriented
• Firm
• Strong-willed
• Forceful

82. Influence
• Outgoing
• Enthusiastic
• Optimistic
• High-spirited
• Lively

83. Steadiness
• Even-tempered
• Accommodating
• Patient
• Humble
• Tactful

84. Conscientiousness
• Analytical
• Reserved
• Precise
• Private
• Systematic

86. Adapt your behavior

88. Be
vulnerable

90. PRINCIPLE #4
Look for the win-win

93. Success doesn’t mean you have to defeat others.
Look for ways for everyone to win.

94. Another word for that is
compromise

96. This is not about who you like
and who you don’t

97. This is about whose goals align
with yours, and whose do not

98. Know Your
Enemies

99. “The supreme art of war
is to subdue the enemy
without fighting”

100. “Build your enemy
a golden bridge
to retreat across”

101. Give your enemy
exactly what
they want

102. When you give your enemies wins
they will stop being your enemy!

103. PRINCIPLE #5
Pick your battles.

104. Political capital isn’t finite,
but it is fluid

105. Sometimes being
effective means
keeping your
mouth shut

107. If you find yourself
getting heated
take a step back

108. Too much passion can
be a weakness

109. It’s not about
being right
It’s about
being effective

110. You are in control of
the reality you create

111. Building human connections
will make you more effective
(and happier)

112. Be empathetic

113. Be
flexible

114. Be likeable

115. Be
vulnerable

116. Know when to keep
your mouth shut

117. Balance building
good relationships
and doing good work

118. Register now at
zenworkplace.com/mindfulness
Bring Highly Practical
Mindfulness to Work
Learn how I increase
team productivity
20-30%

119. Register now at
mentalhealthdayonline.com
Get 50% with the promo code “politics”