At a client company, a supervisor recently sought a new job. Everyone in the company knew she was looking and no one was interested in creating an offer that would make her stay. Why?
She didn't play well with others.
After two years of asking for a more important title so she could tell people what to do, she had clearly not developed the influencing skills necessary to promote her agenda. Nor, has she demonstrated the respect for others that will earn her respect in return.
No career will progress unless you develop the influencing skills necessary to accomplish work. Adults don't take kindly to being told what to do, even when the agenda is worthy. So, accomplishing work is largely about the relationships you develop. Without successful, supportive relationships, your work will never be as successful as it could be.
When your lack of relationship savvy, has minimized your contribution and impact, and you announce you are moving on to a new job, no tears will be shed. No counter offers will come. And, the ad for your replacement will say, "Must play well with others."
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Developing Successful Work Relationships
- Fight for What's Right: Ten Tips to Encourage Meaningful Conflict
- Leadership Values and Ethics: Secrets of Leadership Success
- Inspirational Work Quotes About Respect
- Five Top Books That Enlighten Management Thinking
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In this area I would suggest that people look up the work of Robert Cialdini and his books Influence: Science and Practice and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. His work can be found online at http://www.influenceatwork.com/
I’ve used his 6 principles with HR and CEO clients and it proves a very useful addition to any leaders kit bag.
Nice article. I don’t mean to brag, but I guess I’ve played well with others so that’s why our top executives went all out to dissuade me from leaving when I had another offer last month. I will share this article in the office and hope it would make others, play well with others.
Very cool article, Our office has had my share of officemates who just seem to be well off ‘playing by themselves’. In fact, one just left before the Christmas holiday, and another one (who is masking her ways to persuade people) will be leaving by next month. Thank for you this article!
Playing well is one thing, even when you are a team player and your work is flawless, it still comes down to the politics of management and whether as a line staff you exert too much ‘influence’ over others. God help you if you are more knowledgable and articulate than your boss, then the career manslaughter really begins!!