Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Clearer, Cleaner Contracts

The visible contract is the piece of paper we signed with Human Resources on our first day, but that is not the only contract that we work with. There are a multitude of unsigned and unspoken agreements with our peers, bosses, and direct reports. There are also psychological contracts that are more about trust and truth, than deadlines and budgets. They are more about motives, support, and commitment than they are about what and when. Where their existence is made explicit, then they can be negotiated and agreed. Unfortunately too many are based on fuzzy assumptions that can create political dilemmas. Written contracts might tell us what our rights are, but psychological contracts tell us if we are right to do it. And the more candid and clear they are, the better. With clear, crisp agreements, we can clarify how we work with our colleagues. Expectations can be more easily met and performance enhanced.

 

• Talk explicitly about unspoken or implied contracts—ask to see the fine print!

• Be mindful of the many implied contracts that you make.

• When faced with ambiguity, be confident enough to ask, “What does that actually mean?”

• If something feels unsaid, raise the topic constructively.

• Learn how to challenge constructively to test the clauses.

• Be open to the possibility of either hidden or conflicting agendas.

• If a contract feels wrong, then it probably is wrong.

• The clearer these are, the more successful you will become.

 

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