What office politics?

I often think that I bumble around on another plane to other people. In all the jobs I've had, I have been virtually oblivious to office politics — until I was told, in no uncertain terms, who despises whom, who is looking to get ahead at any cost and who is having a fling with Jim from accounts.

Unless there is a blazing row next to my desk or I find Jim walking out of the stationery cupboard covered in lipstick (and even then I may just assume he had bumped into his secretary headlong), I imagine I exist in a happy world with perfect lives and no secrets. Call me naïve, if you will.

In my last job, I had prime eavesdropping position next to my boss's office.

I was constantly asked by other colleagues to relay the details of private meetings — meetings I had been entirely unaware of.

Observation skills and intuition are not my forte and I am a terrible judge of character.

People whom I have been wary of for months have often become good friends while others I have confided in have turned out to be backstabbers.

A friend of mine recently came up against such a situation at work.

She is less green about the gills than I am and was well aware when several colleagues initiated a campaign to sabotage her career.

There appeared to be no motive behind it other than boredom and perhaps a touch of jealousy.

Outward appearances were that they were friendly but when they chatted with her, it became apparent that they had been gleaning information for their own use.

Although it may make a situation unbearable, it is possible to turn the situation on its head. Remaining seemingly oblivious has its advantages.

First, it's easier to separate professional and social relationships if you don't enter work disputes — you're less likely to take their jibes personally (even if they are meant that way).

Secondly, your bosses will feel you can put personal feelings aside for the sake of a healthy professional environment.

Translation: It makes you look more capable and promotion-worthy than any backstabbing colleague.

Believe me, their behaviour won't go unnoticed by the boss.

Though it's hard to resist harmless gossip by the water cooler, it's important to remember that in competitive work environments, people may not be as friendly as they seem.

When the carrot of a promotion dangles, relationships can be cut-throat.

There will always be politics in the office and unless you are savvy and able to manipulate things to your advantage, my advice is you stay well out of it.