If you follow US politics, you may have come across the story of former White House Communication Director, Anthony Scaramucci who was fired recently over a conversation with a reporter that he thought was off the record — among other reasons.
The interview that was published in The New Yorker slammed White House officials and fed news cycles for days ahead of Scaramucci’s firing just 10 days from being nominated for the job.
The morale? Nothing is off the record. Regardless to how high or low your position is in an organisation, talking dirt about others never helps you advance or even keep your job.
In short, don’t say in private what you wouldn’t say on people’s faces. Emails, texts and phone conversations may seem a safe way to communicate behind others’ back, but in reality, they can easily be recorded or retrieved.
Many employers even specify that any such communication done on company devices and equipment is not protected under personal privacy. Monitoring aside, emails could be forwarded intentionally or accidentally. So while such a situation in personal life can cost you a relationship and much stress, in a professional environment, your job is on the line.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when it comes to workplace communication.
Avoid impulsive sharing
Prevention is best, but it is understandable that conflicts in the workplace are inevitable.
Sometime you may want to vent or feel like you need the support or help of other coworkers or supervisors. You may lack the confidence in how you perceive a particular situation, or want to get a second opinion. In this case, you better seek help from the right person. Of course, tackling the situation head on might be the right strategy, but if you’re concerned that might backfire, think of who can be objective and knowledgeable. This person could be in a different department or a former employee.
Selecting the right person and using caution in exchanging information with this person is the best strategy to deal with a tough situation. It also pays off to remain professional and focus on the problem rather than any person who is involved.
As a rule of thumb, stick to facts and avoid any profanity or personal attacks. If you must get into a conversation regarding a conflict, try at least to keep it verbal. Written exchanges can remain accessible for years, and you never know when someone will find them useful to sabotage you.
Is it for fun?
Fun in the workplaces take a new definition. Calling someone names, making advances toward a co-worker of the opposite sex, or ridiculing a person can be held against you if it is considered to be creating a hostile environment. People do get fired for this kind of stuff. And even in offices that seem to be relaxed, you never know when a comment can be taken the wrong way and land you in the HR department offices.
So be considerate of others while you’re having fun. This is not to say that you should be too serious all the time. Just keep in mind how others might feel about you remarks, and how they might be taken by your supervisors.
Be careful not paranoid
In workplaces, it is not uncommon to find people who are stirring trouble. If you’re often asked questions or dragged into office politics, make a conscious effort of taking a step back. Office politics spice up the dull work days, but they waste time, productivity and standing of everyone involved. That is why ask yourself why others want you to take part.
You don’t have to be paranoid about it, but use caution. In many cases, conflicts are not real and driven either by personal differences or dislike of one person. So if you have no issues with this person, do not engage in a fight that is not yours. And if you do have a problem, think of a more constructive way to sort out the issue.
The writer, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.
Communication around office conflicts
Avoid venting to anyone and everyone
Stick to facts and avoid personal attacks
Watch your tone with and regarding others
Don’t get dragged into office politics
— R.O.
