In college, one of my double majors was political science. At the time, I remember thinking that I would always be able to hold on to a conversation if I had a basic understanding of politics. I always feel that, but I no longer want to talk about politics (unless it is office policy).
I have almost lost several friends for political discussions around a dinner table. People even burst out my dinners on politics when I did not open my mouth. Imagine how worse it would have been if I had ventured an opinion.
A key intelligent commercial negotiation concept is “win-win”. For me, talking about politics is “losing-perrd”. It is common to say: “You cannot change the spirit of anyone.” Alas, you can. You can transform a friend into a passing knowledge. You can transform a work ally into a distant colleague. And you can transform your friendly boss into someone who gives others to the plum assignments to avoid you.
How, however, can you avoid discussing politics when practically every person around you is talking about it? Here are some tactics to politely avoid the field of political mines.
Adhering to my five rule: I limit my policy consumption like the others count calories. I only allow five political intrusions in my day. I like to read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal during breakfast every morning. But after reading two major titles concerning today’s policy, I force myself to drop the newspaper or return the pages to a less stressful section. By limiting my consumption of political dishes, I am less inclined to speak of politics and more inclined to discuss a new film that comes out.
Practice polished outfit: if the jokes around the conference table begin to turn to politics, I do my best to remove it. I could say, “I just have to compartmentalize the policy while I am at work” or “I don’t have the bandwidth right now to take this – sorry”. Then, after waiting for a beat to let my evolve sink, I am with “on a lighter note …” and I fill a positive office with local news.
Recognize before losing. Sometimes when someone says something politically provocative, I have the impression that he is fishing to discover my political persuasion. And, knowing better than taking the bait and potentially to become the victim of their political diatribes, I simply try to assert the emotion that raised it without addressing their assertion. My answer follows the lines of “I know it is difficult not to let all the new politicians stress us.” There is so much bombing all the time. ” Then, before embarking on another remark, I make an excuse and I hurry.
Talk about politics before it occurred. Recently, when entering some stores, I noticed that they have displayed a sign that says something to “please abstain from political conversations inside.” I followed suit by publishing my own polished request on the door of my office where anyone approach will be sure to see it. If someone tries to engage in politics, I smile and point my sign. If you decide to try this tactic, here is a clue: use a friendly serifting font and a decorative frame or a clip art of a harmless flower or graphic to give your sign a warm rather than hard and imperious appearance.
Visit the minute analysis per minute. When a colleague comes to me with his phone in his hand and a horror look at his face to share the latest news from the latest news of another political fiasco, I go up the catastrophization session that followed by sharing the view of 10,000 feet. Without diving into too much details, I offer the way extreme swings through the ideological spectrum end up moving to the center. Or, I point out that astrologers say that we are going to the Aquarius era, promising more harmony in the world.
Being in charge of politics has become our new national hobby. Except that now, instead of how we use to talk about our sports teams on the water cooler, the opposite team is considered harmful and its incomprehensible points of view. Perhaps, to avoid being trained in a conversation on politics, it is better to bring the conversation back to sport.
About the author
Vicky Oliver is a leading expert in career development and the multi-plus author sold for five books, including bad boss, crazy colleagues and other office idiots (SourceBooks, 2008) and 301 smart answers to difficult interview questions (SourceBooks 2005), appointed in the list of 10 best books for preparation for HR interviews. “She is a desired speaker and a presenter of seminar and a popular media source, after having made more than 901 appearances in the outlets, printed and online. Vicky Oliver is the non-fiction editor of the magazine Lit, the Journal of the New School Masters ultimately Arts Creative Writing, and teaches the writing of the New York Writers workshop. Podcast Resilient Women Series for Relaxable Media. Vickioliver.com.