不要讓政治討論分散你的團隊的注意力

隨著一周24小時的新聞週期，辦公室裏不可避免地會出現政治話題。作為一名管理者，你如何確保這些談話不會干擾你的團隊？

想想什麼樣的情况和話題可能引發員工之間的激烈交流？

盡你所能避免任何可能引起黨派爭論的事情，但是如果發生衝突，你有一個解决衝突的計畫。當緊張關係爆發時，單獨與相關人士交談，傾聽他們的觀點。然後要求他們撇開分歧，把重點放在幫助團隊成功的共同目標上。

當然，如果一個政治討論可以解决一個商業問題，那麼就去做，但要謹慎行事，監控討論的情緒，並在需要時恢復平衡。最重要的是，通過尊重不同的政治觀點來為你的團隊樹立榜樣。

Don’t Let Political Discussions Distract Your Team from Their Work

With our 24/7 news cycle, it’s inevitable that political topics will come up at the office. As a manager, how can you make sure these conversations don’t distract your team?

Think about what kinds of situations and topics might trigger a sharp exchange among employees.

Do your best to avoid anything that might ignite a partisan debate, but have a plan to handle conflict if it happens. When tensions do flare up, talk individually to the people involved, and listen to their points of view. Then ask them to put aside their disagreements and focus on the shared goal of helping the team succeed.

Of course, if a political discussion is relevant to solving a business question, go for it — but proceed cautiously, monitor the discussion’s mood, and restore balance when needed. Above all, be an example for your team by respecting diverse political views.

讓辦公室政治透明化

辦公室政治是有害的，他們靠保密而興旺。如果你想停止幕後交易和發生組織中的政治化，就先讓你所有的相互作用是透明的。

想想你行動背後的動機，想想你的行為傳達的資訊。你是在向人們展示你最關心的是你的自尊、名聲和地位嗎？或者你把精力集中在對公司和同事最有利的事情上？

如果你一直以一種你不引以為傲的風格行事，那麼就改變你的風格。進一步，說清楚自己的意圖，明確的解釋你為什麼要召開會議。提出了一個敏感的問題，或不同意一個同事。不要強迫別人在字裡行間讀，這會導致誤解和流言蜚語。

公開你的動機。你不能指望一個組織在道德水准上比你所擁有的更高。

Transparency in office politics

Office politics is harmful, and they thrive on secrecy. If you want to stop trading behind the scenes and politicize the organization, let all your interactions be transparent.

Think about the motives behind your actions, and think about the information that your behavior conveys. Are you showing to people that you are most concerned about your self-esteem, reputation and status? Or do you focus on the best things for the company and the colleagues?

If you always act in a style that you don't take pride in, then change your style. Further, make clear your intentions and clearly explain why you have to hold a meeting. Put forward a sensitive question, or disagree with a colleague. Do not force others to read between lines, which can lead to misunderstandings and gossip.

Open your motives. You can't expect an organization to be higher in moral standards than you have.

如何與同事做政治性對話？

若是同事要和你談一些敏感的辦公室政治，例如，他要你加入他的辦公室內的派系，會令你感到為難。無論你有多麼堅強的觀點，你都不希望忤逆他，引起不必要的誤會。以下的外交作法，能夠讓你有策略的應對這樣的對話：

1. 關注在瞭解學習上。你並不願意去改變你的同事的觀點。因此，你可以將對話作為你對他的想法作為瞭解學習的機會。靜聽，並且以開放的帶著好奇的態度提問。
2. 表現尊重。對你的同事說出的主張表示尊重。你可以這樣說：“我看得出你對這事很關心。”，或是，“看來你對這件事有很深的思考了。”
3. 找出共識。為了避免你們的對話的拉高到緊張的氛圍，你可以看看你們之間有哪些共識之處。避免因為你不同意他，而使他不愉快。
4. 避免觸及政治。如果你察覺你的同事有意談到政治性話題，躲開些，或是試著轉移話題，例如，問候他的家人，或是，請教他健康養生的秘訣。

How to engage in a political dialogue with colleagues?

If a colleague wants to talk to you about some sensitive office politics, for example, he wants you to join the factions in his office, and it will make you feel embarrassed. No matter how strong you have opinions, you do not want to disobey him, causing unnecessary misunderstanding. The following diplomacy will allow you to respond strategically to such a dialogue:

1. Focus on learning. You don't want to change your colleagues' views. Therefore, you can use the dialogue as an opportunity for you to learn about his ideas. Listen quietly and ask questions with an open and curious attitude.
2. Show respect. Respect your colleagues' claims. You can say, "I can see that you are very concerned about it." Or, "It seems that you have a deep thought about it."
3. Find consensus. In order to avoid the tension of your conversation, you can see what common things are between you. Avoid making him unhappy because you disagree with him.
4. Avoid touching politics. If you notice your colleagues are interested in talking about political topics, avoid or try to shift topics, such as greeting their family members, or asking him the secret of healthy regimen.