posturing.

what is posturing you may ask? Well for those of you who are lucky enough not to work in a big firm, let me give you a simple set of definitions. Posing. Showing Off. Showboating. Flashing da bling. Thats exactly what posturing is. Except posturing adds a lovely dimension of the intellectual - i can beat you at chess you weakling - to it.

At work I am now witnessing posturing as a group begins its true honest storming phase. You know where they say - forming, storming, norming, performing? Well storming is where there is a fight for position, and for control. So I'm witnessing a lovely array of dances being played out at a variety of levels. Its quite interesting really.

Those who know me would say I'm a quiet guy, but when I'm talkative I do like to yip yap. At work, I am sat there quietly watching the play unfold. Its fantastic. But its making me feel like I'm a 5th wheel, and I dont mean the steering wheel!

Still, posturing. Its a lovely art. It involves making others feel low by witholding information. Or adding a response to an email with little or no substance. To having secret meetings regarding stuff and not telling others. Its human nature. The wonderful thing about it is, its teaching me something.

Its teaching me, that no matter how many high flying high ranking roles I will have to miss out on or turn down, I am NEVER going to become that way. To this day, I insist on helping others, and I will continue to be that way forever more. If I lose out on a 20k pay rise because I won't play politics, then so be it. If I wanted to play politics, I'd crucify people. I want to do a good job with little room for error. And I believe thats what I'm doing, whilst watching the posturing of course ;-)

How are you all today?
--
tnn

Posted 6/02/2006.

Comments:

1.  swisslet says @ 8:13 am
   I tend to think of posturing as a sign of weakness and insecurity actually. I know that it often seems to lead to the big jobs and more money, but I watch them doing it and feel a teensy bit sad for them and a touch superior. If you need to posture, then I think something else is missing from your life.
   
   I'm alright thanks, by the way. A nice weekend at the cricket has set me up nicely for the week. It's just a shame I can't make it to the ground today (albeit this means that I won't have to watch England losing! Murali is amazing and I think he could have a good day today)
   
   Apart from dodging the posturing, how are you?
   
   ST
2.  LB says @ 4:35 pm
   I'm *entirely* with you. I'd far rather be me and forsake the office politics.
   
   It's also a mistake to believe that you have to play the game to advance, incidentally - I never have and am doing OK and my father never did and was very successful in climbing a corporate ladder also.
   
   I'm not the sort of person that can be ambitious at the expense of colleagues or others. And it sounds like you aren't also, and that, my friend, sounds like the right way to be.

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