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iQuestions Faculty, Pat Gelsinger 
 
 
Question: 
 
How do I handle politics in the work place? 
 
Answer:  
 
Politics in the workplace is part of the way work is. I always sort of 
joke and say, “Where two or more are gathered together, there will be 
politics.” 
 
As you think about those political environments, it’s really important 
that job number one for you is to do a great job. Those political 
situations, whatever may be going on, you need to look past them. 
You need to say, “My assignment won’t be affected by that political 
situation.”  
 
So, first of all, do a great job. 
 
Second, as you think about those situations, you may want to take it 
to your boss. You may need to talk to human resources and bring the 
facts of the situation at hand, if it gets bad enough. 
 
Often, it’s very important to realize it’s usually not politics in general, 
but it’s usually an individual or two individuals. One of the best things 
that you could possibly do is go develop a relationship with that 
person. They may view you as political. They may view some of the 
things you are doing as inappropriate or wrong. Develop a relationship 
with them. Get to know their perspective. Start to learn to work with 
that individual or that group of individuals—and wow, all of a sudden 
you may be unleashing 1+1=3 in the workplace, because you may just 
change your working relationship with that individual in a huge way. 
 
 
 
Further, sometimes the political situations don’t get better. Keep doing 
a great job, and eventually, if it becomes too much of a burden, you 
may need to look at different assignments or different roles. Maybe it’s 
you, or maybe it’s that group, that team, but eventually, you have to 
be able to look past that situation, do a great job, and be excited 
about your work on a daily basis.  
Gelsinger -2- 
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