Politicking at Work...Is it necessary?

"I had my performance review yesterday and let me tell you it was a shocker. I was being appriased for things that werent even part of my KRAs. I was given no credit for the great stuff I pulled off during the year and was slammed for the disappointments. Then came the icing on the cake when I was told that I was not 'political' enough and needed to work on my 'politicking' skills (all off the record ofcourse!). I was told that even though this was a 360 degree appraisal my comments or feedback didnt matter as my supervisor had made up his mind based on what he percieved of me and that he wouldnt change a word, no matter what proof I had! I am in shock!" - An excerpt from an entry in the diary of a disgrunteled employee of a multi national and Fortune 500 company.

Sucks doesnt it? When you work hard and your ass off and then you are judged based on one man's perception of you. So basically if you didnt spend time kissing ass the past year, you might as well e kissing your bonus and pay hike good bye. This is unfair I know but unfortunately is very true in many organizations today, especially in India. The sad part is when multi-nationals come to India and turn into Indian companies. Work ethics dont matter, your performance doesnt matter, all that matters is how you managed to impress your supervisor.

So if you are a-political like me and just cant see yourself doing anything other than your job and meeting your targets then maybe its time to think about how important it is to be political and if it helps in the long run.

I was talking to my ex boss last night and he gave me some good advice, he said, that I had to accept the politics at the work place but at the same time know what I can handle and what I cant. I cant play the politics game. I just cant. I guess I am this way coz of my dad who himself has been totally a-political. When he quit the Indian Air Force, it was because he couldnt see himself doing something he was not in favor of. I am his daughter and I cant see myself ever becoming part of a system where your success depends upon how good you are with your boss.

I guess it may take me longer to climb the corporate ladder but I am willing to wait. I'd rather get there ethically and be proud of NOT walking all over people than get there and realise that I stabbed many in the back.