The 7 Unbreakable Rules of Talking About Politics at Work

The 7 Unbreakable Rules of Talking About Politics at Work Politics is already a sensitive subject at the schreibstube. The touchiness has been amplified recently. Yet whether its in the office, during happy hur or even on social media, politics will likely come up.Although its easier said than done, plenty of experts maintain you should never discuss politics at work under any circumstances. After all, it can be divisive. Youre talking about peoples world views, how they believe the country should be run and in many cases the best ways for people to live their lives.Many of my clients have anxiety not only about issues, policies and the future of America itself, but also about whether they should entertain political discussions at work. And if so, how?Heres what to do and what not to do when it comes to discussing political issues with colleagues.1. Ask for permission.Its an easy step to forget always ask for permission before launching into a touchy topic. Everyone has different bou ndaries around discussing sensitive issues. Dont make the mistake of getting caught up in rigid thinking and assume your co-workers have the same broaching the topic of politics as you do.To set the groundwork for a healthy, productive dialogue, you might say Im not trying to change your mind. I see this issue very differently and Id like to understand. Would it be okay to spend a few minutes talking through our perspectives?2. Know your facts (and admit when you dont).In the heat of the moment, you might feel an urge to spit out some compelling sound bites you saw online while scanning the headlines without relevant information to back it up. But blustering through an ill-informed argument will only do damage to future conversations. It certainly wont win you points in the current one.Theres nothing wrong with admitting you arent up to speed on a particular issue. Try saying, Wow, interesting Id like to do mora research on this today after work. Can we pick this conversation up tom orrow?3. Know your triggers and watch for them.Politics can be personal for many people, maybe even for you. You might have strong feelings about a womans right to choose. Perhaps your family was affected by immigration policies firsthand.Whether its around certain issues or the candidates themselves, be mindful about where your own triggers are. This type of self-awareness can help you regulate your emotions rather than lose control and do something unprofessional that youll regret, like yelling or saying something nasty to a colleague.Its also easier than you might think to use a discussion of politics to project other problems you have with a colleague. Dont let a discussion of U.S. political news slip into a discussion of office politics instead.If you do find yourself feeling frustrated, dont place ownership of your frustrations onto your co-workers by saying, for instance Youre making me frustrated. If you feel like you need to express that idea, reword it to take more respon sibility when you say something like I feel frustrated. This takes away the accusatory tone and opens it up for your colleague to empathize.4. Frame it as a learning opportunity.If you decide to enter into a political conversation with a colleague, think of it as a chance to learn from one another, not change each others views. Being interested in someone elses thought process can be a great reason to engage in a political discussion.Try saying something along the lines of I know what I think about healthcare, but Im curious why you feel so differently. Would you be open to sharing your position with me? Just make koranvers that in the back of your mind youre not secretly hoping youll convert your co-worker.5. Dont stand for disrespect.Its completely possible for people to have opposing viewpoints without stooping to derogatory comments. When emotions are running high, a disagreement over political philosophies can deteriorate into personalized attacks. Before that happens, the best option is to agree to disagreeand then get back to work.If you can sense a discussion going south, try saying The tone of this conversation is not appropriate for work. Its not heading in a good direction, so lets agree to drop it After that, either excuse yourself to another conversation or leave the room. You can also redirect the conversation by saying something like Im honestly overwhelmed by all this election coverage. Lets talk about something else.6. Dont assume youre off the clock when youre on social media.Social media is a powerful tool to keep in touch and maintain connections, and its become an important aspect of todaysworking relationships.Though youre (hopefully) not at work when youre using social media, make sure you do a quick check-in with yourself before you post or comment on anything political. Picture your coworkers seeing it. Imagine it possibly serving as a catalyst to an in-person office discussion. Are you okay with that? If so, post away.7. In the end, a gree to disagree if need be.It can be very tricky to navigate this politics at work. But when handled correctly, these discussions with your colleagues can be enlighteningno matter which side of the political aisle youre on.--Melody Wildingis the Workplace Success Coach for smart, sensitive high-achievers who are tired of getting in their own way. Shes here to help you break free from self-doubt and overwhelm, master your emotions, and use your sensitivity as the superpower that it is.Her clients include leaders at top Fortune 500 companies such as Google, HP, Facebook, Twitter, IBM, and others and work has been featured on The New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, NBC News, more. Melody is a licensed social worker and professor of Human Behavior. Learn more atmelodywilding.com