The Workplace

Do you recognise any of these?

1. The Clich
or the 'in crowd'. Somehow they are the ones always gathered at someones desk or round the drinks machine sharing some juicy piece of news or gossip. As you walk past they look and go quiet. You are not quite sure if you might be the subject.

2. Toxic Humour
....'no offence'......'only joking'. If something is said to you with the previous comments apended, then can you truly take no offence or believe that the comment was in fact a joke - unfortunately one at your expense.

3. The Power Game
There's always a player who says one thing but their actions betray them. They are playing the power game looking to increase their status at the expense of others in the team. To your face they're your best friend, behind your back they are undermining you at every opportunity.

So with all these games being played around you, how can you possibly maintain your integrity and values and not stoop to the level of playground games?

Follow some basic rules:

- Only say what you would be happy to be played back to you

- Keep your own counsel, don't join the biggest playground gang for protection

- Play the integrity rather than the power game. The integrity game is a marathon not a sprint but you will achieve your goals in the end and with no one suffering as the result - especially yourself and your self esteem