Canadian workplace dos and don’ts for office politics

Although “office politics” can sometimes have negative connotations, learning to navigate office dynamics effectively can help you build stronger connections and collaborate seamlessly. Here’s a quick guide based on advice from executive coach Dora Vanourek.

Be visible for the right reasons
✅ Do: Contribute meaningfully to important projects and initiatives. Your visibility should come from impact and value.
❌ Don’t: Take credit for others’ work or exaggerate your contributions. This kind of visibility undermines trust and your professional credibility.

Manage up effectively
✅ Do: Support your manager’s goals and make their job easier. Show that your success aligns with their success.
❌ Don’t: Play politics to impress your boss. The idea is to position yourself as a true team player, not a personal sycophant.

Stay above gossip
✅ Do: Focus on solutions and professionalism. If discussions veer into gossip, steer conversations back on track.
❌ Don’t: Add to a rumour, like commenting on why a colleague might be underperforming without facts. This creates tension and erodes trust within the team.

Document your contributions
✅ Do: Keep a record of your achievements and contributions, even small ones. This helps showcase your impact when needed.
❌ Don’t: Assume your work will always be noticed. Be proactive in ensuring your efforts are visible and recognized.

Use reciprocity
✅ Do: Build a good reputation by offering help and support without always expecting something in return.
❌ Don’t: Focus solely on transactional interactions. Relationships should be built on trust and mutual support.

Address misunderstandings
✅ Do: Approach misunderstandings with curiosity. Ask questions to clarify rather than jump to judgment.
❌ Don’t: Let misunderstandings fester. Avoiding issues only creates more friction down the road.

Build strategic alliances
✅ Do: See office politics as an opportunity to drive change and bring teams together to achieve shared goals.
❌ Don’t: Treat interactions as mere power plays. Strategic relationships should focus on creating value for everyone involved.

Q: What essential questions should I have prepared for my job interview?

A: Amy Lentz, also known as hackyourhr on Instagram, suggests being prepared for these four key questions:

1. What is your greatest weakness? This is about demonstrating self-awareness and your ability to improve.

2. What are your goals? Tie your answer to the role and how it aligns with your career vision.

3. Tell me about a time when… Behavioural questions assess your problem-solving skills and work approach. Use the STAR method to organize your ideas (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

4. What motivates you? Show what drives your passion and productivity at work.

• General Construction Labourer, Edmonton, AB

• Construction Manager, Trenton, ON

• Transport Truck Driver, Richmond, BC

• Data Scientist, Etobicoke, ON

• Software Developer, Concord, ON

• Family Doctor, East Gwillimbury, ON

• Psychiatrist, Victoria, BC

• Logistics Coordinator, Calgary, AB

• Human Resources Specialist, Vancouver, BC

• Physician Assistant, Halifax, NS

*all job postings available at time of email publication

Trust is the lubricant of the workplace machine—it helps people collaborate and achieve goals that no one person can accomplish alone. Here are some phrases to foster trust in your workplace:

✅ “I’d really ppreciate your input on this.”
Making sure everyone feels welcome to contribute is a great way to build trust and strengthen team collaboration.

✅ “I made a mistake on this, and here’s how I plan to fix it.”
Confidently addressing mistakes promotes transparency and accountability. This shifts the focus from blame to taking action to resolve the problem.

✅ “I couldn’t have done this without your support.” or “You did a fantastic job on that project—thank you for your hard work.”
As Billy Joel says, “You can see when you’re wrong, but you can’t always see when you’re right.” Acknowledging a job well done reinforces positivity and motivates your team.

✅ “I’ll make sure to follow up with you on this by [specific time].”
Communicate reliability by being clear about what you’ll do and when you’ll do it—and then following through.