On the stage in political theatre, we as a nation have been spectators and participants of the greatest, most suspenseful and dramatic miniseries -The Presidential Election of 2008. No wonder this has been our country's current recreation. Do you recall the old adage that politics is the only game for adults?
The players/candidates must be willing do all that can be done to win or they should not be in the public life. Victory is decreed by demonizing your opponents by exchanging vitriol verbal blows. We as the spectators/voters thrive on a culture of a dog-eat-dog mentality. Thus, the metaphor of the theatre sets the stage for "Blood Sports."
There is no need to ponder why debates spill from the family living room, the university classrooms, and other social and religious venues directly into the workplace.
According to a study by Office Team in Medo, California, while once a refuge of a no politics and no religious zone, the workplace has triggered a maelstrom of political debate at the office water-cooler.
The rules of this "blood sport" rely on human nature. The sides we align ourselves in this arena are based on our values. Consequently, our values emotionally define our decisions. If we impose our convictions on others while negating their feelings, it sets forth a dynamite charge of threatening emotions.
Instinctually, the fight or flight response is elicited. While this is a life-saving mechanism, it can also churn dire consequences when produced in a work environment.
Civility expert P.M. Forni, Director of the Civility Initiative at John Hopkins University, found that it is up to employees to handle these concerns at the cubicle level. Most managers will not legislate good manners or dampen debates. Therefore, the employee must use caution in debating and respecting the opinions of their co-workers.
Here are some suggestions of workplace boundaries:
- Stop! Take a minute to access if the time and place is appropriate for political discussion.
- Do not assume others share the same political views as you.
- Do not feel pressured to participate in office debates. Your opinion is just that - yours.
- Be cautious of how you express your thoughts. A friendly discussion is one thing, proselytizing is quite another.
- Be sure to show mutual respect. Remember to give others the opportunity to discuss and share their opinions. Please refrain from defending your views by employing profane language, interrupting or ignoring.
- Do acknowledge your co-worker's good points in his theories.
- Do not judge a person's politics by how your co-worker dresses. A conservative dresser can be quite liberal and vice versa.
- Remove yourself from a discussion with your superior when you do not see eye to eye. Remember you are on the "job" and who is "boss."
- Always remember that the workplace is for work and not for campaigning. Please restrain your passions and your mouth!
In the end, it is up to the individual to find the wisdom to display the skills to remain professional at a time when "we" versus "they" thinking is rampant. Respect your position as an employee at the workplace and as a voter in the voting booth.
Ms. Zazulak Pedro has combined her educational skills in psychology and her certifications in business, children and international etiquette into a unique designation as a "Social Engineer." She strives in not only in teaching the bare knuckles of etiquette, but to delve further in the psychology of etiquette.
The Protocol Praxis incorporates etiquette, NLP, non-verbal and verbal communication skills with covert hypnosis. Empowerment, persuasion and other life-skills become powerful tools that are employed to help one become their own master of their destiny.
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