Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game.

Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss.

Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues.

Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.

Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training.

Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling.

Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities.

I have just joined a smallish city newsroom... I know that I am argumentative, but I really did not think I was being so at work.

Franke James, Creator of the Office-Politics Game responds, "I find it curious that Management at a newspaper would think being 'argumentative' was a flaw. I thought it was a job requirement for reporters ;-) I'm only partly joking. It seems that reporters are by nature 'skeptical' beings. They ask questions. They probe. They don't accept the 'easy' answer. The good ones dig for the truth."

March 2006

Dear Office-Politics,

I have just joined a smallish city newsroom. I am nearing the end of the second month of my three-month probationary period writing local sports. I am starting to come to the realization that there is no opting out of office politics (Is there?) To cut to the chase, apparently I'm seen as antagonistic.

I learned this through a small chat with a management person (he brought it up). I was surprised. I know that I am argumentative, but I really did not think I was being so at work. I need to turn this around in about a month or so.

After I had the discussion with the manager. One of the editors was writing a headline indicating that a (Torino) Olympic medal count for a country was seven. I said (correctly) it was eight adding that they earned four that day. To which he replied that four plus the three from the previous day (they actually had four previous) was seven. His tone was curt so I dropped it. If I had not had that talk I would probably have continued to correct him which I think is why I am seen as antagonistic. But it seems ridiculous to let a wrong headline through when it can be corrected.

The upshot is that the next morning the headline was wrong and three lines into the story it said eight. I think that there are a couple of sources for for my problem. I am more what I would call a cordial person rather than a friendly one. I have few friends, friendships are labour intensive. I am happy with my life, my family and kids. I think (after my discussion with the manager) that I am projecting an air of aloofness.

Plus, I think I walked into a graduate level of office politics. Apparently there is much more going on than I realize. Not just personally with me, but around me as well. I have never cared for that sort of stuff and am largely oblivious to personality struggles around me. I focus on improving my work so that I will be kept on. If it helps you I have previous training in programming so I am a fairly analytical thinker. I am trying to keep my head down and play it cool, but do you have any advice or tips to tell me how to assess situations and especially how to get feedback about perceptions of me so I don't have to be told next time.

Stunned and a little lost

Dear Stunned and a little lost,


You must feel that you're walking on eggs, with only 1 more month in your probationary role as a sports reporter.

I find it curious that Management at a newspaper would think being 'argumentative' was a flaw. I thought it was a job requirement for reporters ;-)

I'm only partly joking. It seems that reporters are by nature 'skeptical' beings. They ask questions. They probe. They don't accept the 'easy' answer. The good ones dig for the truth. Many reporters ask 'rude' questions. e.g. Many people, when meeting someone new, would only ask 'polite' questions. Nothing too probing, nothing to get slapped in the face -- but a reporter working a story?! They might lob a few easy questions to warm up, and then pummel the guy with questions and go for the jugular if necessary...

You sound like you have what it takes to do well in your field.

So back to your relationships in the news room. As a reporter you are being paid to deliver accurate, factual, and hopefully exciting news stories about sports. No wonder you got your dander up when a co-worker was going to publish an inaccurate statistic. I imagine that inaccurate statistics are heresy to you -- a nightmare to be avoided at all cost. I'd cut yourself some slack. You tried to save him, and the newspaper, some embarrassment by pointing out an error. Good for you.

Was it wise to step back when he ignored you? Probably. You pointed out the error. He ignored it. But you didn't want to cause too much friction, and it wasn't your story, so you didn't press the point. It must have been hard to keep your lips zipped! For smooth relationships in the newsroom you may want to limit your critiques to your own work, rather than your co-workers. It's their loss if they can't take constructive criticism.

Do you have to feel that you're always going to be walking on eggs? What topics can you discuss without getting into trouble and being perceived as argumentative? Trust your instincts. I imagine that in your family relationships you know what minefields to step around. e.g. when your in-laws come to visit, there are probably sensitive topics that you consciously avoid. You're smart -- so you know not to mention certain hot-button things. Same thing in the work world.

Moving forward. Ask friends, and co-workers you trust to give you an assessment on your style. Perceptions vary so much. Maybe you do need to 'dial' back a bit. What one person sees as aggressive can be see by another as 'drive' or get-up-and-go. I wouldn't think you need a major personality overhaul. However it is a positive trait that you can step back and analyze your behavior. That is a huge asset.

I've been in the communications/marketing field for over 15 years. We pay people to proofread our work and point out our mistakes -- before they go to press! How ironic that a news room didn't do fact checking as a matter of course.

Remember, Office-Politics is the game everyone plays. Some better than others. You've got to learn to play it so it doesn't get in the way of achieving your dreams. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.


Cheers,

Franke

Franke James, MFA
Creator, The Office-Politics Game