I'm constantly re-learning the fact that office politics at a professional level are not remarkably different from say, the politics of a minimum-wage job. In some ways, it was simpler to work coffee and have adolescent girls stomp around aggressively or pick fights. Professional environments are much more passive, or passive-aggressive. So today I compile a list of my recent insights: S
(1) No matter how much an employer claims that they are looking out for their employees, self-preservation trumps all and most people will mount character attacks at others to divert attention from themselves when feeling backed into a corner and unsure of the next move.
(2) No matter how nice your physical office environment is, it may not be a comfortable place to work. Despite the remarkable discomfort, productivity should remain stable and consequently it's on you to find a way to tune out the noise in a way that demonstrates that you haven't "checked out." Yoga, meditation, and exercise are good options. Returning to the breath really is a life-saver.
(3) Having good co-workers can make even the toughest work environment fun. They may not be able to change anything, but at least you'll have someone to validate that you are not crazy and things happening in this environment are really weird.
(4) Nobody is perfect, and no job is perfect. This guy probably has to clean up tourist puke before he goes home to his $1400 a month rental sans electricity. Things always appear more glamorous from the outside.
I'm constantly re-learning the fact that office politics at a professional level are not remarkably different from say, the politics of a minimum-wage job. In some ways, it was simpler to work coffee and have adolescent girls stomp around aggressively or pick fights. Professional environments are much more passive, or passive-aggressive. So today I compile a list of my recent insights: S
(1) No matter how much an employer claims that they are looking out for their employees, self-preservation trumps all and most people will mount character attacks at others to divert attention from themselves when feeling backed into a corner and unsure of the next move. 
(2) No matter how nice your physical office environment is, it may not be a comfortable place to work. Despite the remarkable discomfort, productivity should remain stable and consequently it's on you to find a way to tune out the noise in a way that demonstrates that you haven't "checked out." Yoga, meditation, and exercise are good options. Returning to the breath really is a life-saver. 
(3) Having good co-workers can make even the toughest work environment fun. They may not be able to change anything, but at least you'll have someone to validate that you are not crazy and things happening in this environment are really weird. 
(4) Nobody is perfect, and no job is perfect. This guy probably has to clean up tourist puke before he goes home to his $1400 a month rental sans electricity. Things always appear more glamorous from the outside.
Dude. You're totally in my head. I'm amazed at how much more paranoia, conniving, and petty bullshit happens as the pay-grade increases. But then again, there are literal masking tape lines drawn in my office, so I may be an extreme example...
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