The Office Politics Game

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

Like it or not, most offices are full of some type of politics. Even non-traditional offices like a school for example, still require that you play the diplomat in political 'games'. In my opinion, office politics is a rather disdainful term for savvy networking. When you play the "game" you are essentially learning the culture in which you're working.

I had fully intended to begin a series on how to handle sticky situations at work and happened across a game that teaches you how to play. . .office politics. It is a social dilemma game used by human resources departments as well as corporate trainers during orientations for new employees. It's also being used in some MBA graduate courses to help students get a first hand glimpse at what goes on in office politics.

Everything that is sticky and unpleasant about working in an office is likely to come up here! But what people are saying is that the game proves to allow for interesting discussion. Not only do those who play learn about each other's moral and ethical fiber, but also they are able to learn what may or may not be expected of them in that particular office.

Some situations that are discussed/covered in the Office Politics Game:

*unethical behavior at work

*whistle blowing

*that one obnoxious employee

*being the boss and situations that arise

*dealing with less than productive employees

*dealing with a jerky boss

The 3rd edition of the Office Politics game is completely sold out. However, they are making a 4th edition which is being beta tested. If you are in your company's human resources department, are a certified trainer, or a professor of management, you might qualify to beta test the game. You'd have to provide written feed back on the game--but hey, you'd get to keep the 4th edition free. For more information and to see when the game becomes available for purchase, check here.

Related Articles:

How to Deal with Office Politics

Cubicles Leave Little to be Desired

Top 10 Office Party No-Nos

Office Party Etiquette--Preserving Your Professional Image

The Office Christmas Party--To Go or Not to Go

Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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