It is a cold fact that your success is only partially related to your performance.
Your success relies, to some degree and especially for an admin, on your ability to win in office politics.
Succeeding in office politics doesn’t mean just sucking up. More than that, it means knowing how to market yourself inside your own company. It means making sure that your boss sees your accomplishments. It means publically and visibly taking actions that benefit the company.
Part of office politics is maintaining neutrality, as well. Stay out of the gossip circle. Try not to get embroiled in someone else’s struggle with their supervisor. Don’t take sides unless one position is very obviously detrimental to the company.
You also need to sharpen your listening and observation skills. Hear what others in your company want and then try to give it to them. While it’s not your job to walk around the building offering advice, taking a few minutes to help a co-worker can create an ally when you may need one.
It may surprise you, but in many ways succeeding in office politics simply means doing what is best for the company.
The good news is that when the company succeeds in an economy like this one, your job is that much more secure.
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