Nice office politics may sound like an oxymoron, but only a fool will try to get ahead by acting like a contestant on Survivor or any of the other shows where backstabbing, badmouthing, lying, cheating, and overall nastiness will earn you a spot in the winner's circle. Granted, on national television this looks like a lot of fun ? to some ? and the ratings are skyrocketing, but in the long term this kind of approach not only backfires but will leave you unable to gain the respect of your coworkers and their cooperation. Even if you make it to the next professional level by stepping on people, remember that it is their help with projects and their cooperation you will require to not only keep your position but to also further your career. Even a lowly sales clerk can severely hamper your worth in the eyes of the operational manager if you alienate her while getting the shift manager position and thus can no longer rely on her to get you accurate figures on time, deliver team news, and overall cooperate when you need extra workers to come in during a specially heavy sales day. In an effort to learn how to utilize your co-workers to get ahead, nice office politics are a must.

Perhaps the most important aspect to remember is to always admit your mistakes and never try to pass off responsibility to someone else. In the short term you might come out smelling like a rose, but in the long term resentment will build and soon you will be regarded as the odd man out of the team. On the flipside, taking full responsibility for a mistake will showcase honesty, integrity, and will result in your gaining respect not just from coworkers but also from managers. Of course, do not be content to just sit there and throw up your hands in addition to your admission of error, instead, already have a plan in place for how to fix the error and turn the disadvantage into an advantage. This will make you a most desired person on any team, and you are utilizing your co-workers well by becoming a sought after team member.

Utilizing co-workers to get ahead does of course not only rely on your earning their respect and praise but it also means learning to listen to them and understand what it is they communicate to you about you. For example, feedback is given in sometimes not so direct manners. Eye rolling at your suggestion that would create extra work for someone else, raised eyebrows at your idea of trying a new service, enthusiastic nodding at your suggestion of reducing the need of a widget, and any other nonverbal communications will let you know where you stand with your coworkers. Similarly, notice if people come to you with questions or problems, or if you are the only person who is only asked via email to explain something. The latter would be subtle and nonverbal feedback showcasing the fact that you are not considered being approachable in person. To get ahead this might be something you wish to change. By reading clues, as well as asking for direct feedback, you will be able to utilize your co-workers to change your at-work persona into one that fits in well with the company and will be seen as management material.

Frank Nelson is a professional sales person for over 15 years

Has discovered wealth in a variety of fields

Practices Positive Visualization and has

much to offer as we all do have much to offer.