RTM -> Faking Smart: How to get to VP in 6 short weeks

But it doesn't make sense. It really should be titled "Faking Dumb!" Or "how to act like a complete a**hole".

Yes, I'm bitter.

Charles,

It might be a good book for me. My problem is I just want to write good, useful software. But I also want to make more money. I did learn some pretty good Computer Science in college IMO, but nothing about dealing with office shenanigans was part of the curriculum.

My problem is, I actively try to avoid all the politics, gossip and assorted BS that is constantly happening around me. But I've learned, you have to play those stupid games to advance. It also seems some [lazier] people actually get nervous if you don't play the politics game or are too competent, because they will actively see you as competition to be fought against (as opposed to asset to the organization).

That's why I like working in small business... Since you're close enough to literally throw things at the person's head it helps to get along.

This might sound a little odd but when I was younger I used to play 'RISK' (board game) with a group of friends - sometimes we would play all night (we were such rebels).  The game is about world domination and it was interesting to see how it brought out people characters.  My personal approach was to hang back, not aggrevate anybody and let others fight each other - quite often it was the right tactic , sure enough 'the meak shall inherit the earth'.

Anyway, I found that using the same tactic to deal with office politics worked quite well for me.  Often times there would be others in the group who would play the office politics game - and there would be some 'political infighting' (for want of a better term).  At this stage I would go to the boss and show him my ideas - the ones I had worked on while all the crap was going on.  It  worked quite well for me, trick is not to get sucked in to the silliness!

There's also the flip side: find a team where the management shields you from the politics and infighting, allowing you to focus on engineering and elevating you to through your career stages by shining light on your achievements related to your job.

Aaahhh!  What a nice mental picture that is!  Doesn't exist where I work.  It probably does at certain places in Microsoft though.  It's always nice to find a job where the company has some appreciation for what you do -- but it's all too rare in technical fields.

Looks like a potential good read.

What?? not available for my NookColor or for Kindle from Amazon?

I would have bought it immediately if it was an ebook!

Navigating office politics/corporate culture is a challenge and an unavoidable obstacle for all of us. Approach it with a good attitude.  There's a lot of BS in it, but you'll find gems of knowledge along the way. 

Temet Nosce

Why not work for yourself then?  If you work for yourself the only thing that matters is doing a good job for the client.

I find that you can be more honest, not have to deal with any corporate politics and focus on building solid solutions.  In the world of consultancies and ISV's actions speak louder than words, and doing a good job is the ONLY way of guaranteeing a decent living.

Plus is gives you the oppurtunity to be in control of your own earning power, you can earn as much as your willing to work for and willing to charge for (in line with market forces).

Personally I never ever got involved with office politics, it just seemed childish to me, I've always felt that being honest and doing a good job counted for everything and found that it works well in some places and made you a bit isolated in others.