Managing a company with disgruntled staff is a bit like trying to run a hung parliament. No matter how brilliant your ideas are, or how thorough your procedures, if your staff are grumbling in the trenches you’re going to find yourself hitting a big brick wall of negativity and red tape.

It’s no coincidence they call it ‘office politics’

Because business is about competition. Some of it is subtle and unspoken, but nearly everyone is competing for budgets, opportunities to work on more exciting projects, customers, or resources. And then there’s competition for promotions, time with important colleagues, prestige, recognition, bigger salaries, and, of course, power.

Put simply, business is politics.

In my line of work I see factions forming through all types of organisations. I see different parties butting heads. There is in-fighting. There is betrayal. And in my experience, management approaches these issues in one of two ways. They either take a hard line, zero tolerance, ‘my way or the highway’ approach, or they flip and bow to pressure, creating environments that keep staff happy but damage the health and longevity of their business.

So what should you do if you find yourself battling a hung parliament?

Most toxic (can I say bitchy) workplaces fail to follow these basic fundamentals of company culture.

1. Team Meetings

Consider your team meetings to be your parliamentary question time. Team meetings should be held regularly, in an open yet official environment. Make sure there is a set agenda and that discussion is kept open. Encourage opinions from your quietest team members – they are often the ones with the greatest insight. Stick to a strict time frame and ensure that meeting minutes and action items are circulated soon after each meeting. Conducting regular team meetings is the easiest way to diffuse office gossip and politics. Be frank and confront the issues that need addressing. Don’t let people shrug it off.

2. Involve your team members in developing procedures and processes (within reason)

Think of this as your consultation and policy-development phase. By inviting your team members to help you write the bible, rather than handing it to them, you will learn a lot about your own business. Listen to the people who are executing your procedures and take their feedback on board. Not only will your employees feel good about being consulted on procedural matters, they will also be much more likely to support any process-related changes (since they played a part the change development).

3. Training

Negativity is often the result of misinformation and a lack of knowledge. Make sure your team members are skilled with all of the tools they require to run the place the way you want them to, sell with enthusiasm and to manage effectively.

4. Team bonding

This doesn’t need to be expensive or over the top, but it does need to happen more often than you’d think. Never underestimate the magic that happens when you get everyone together in one room and provide each person with their own public voice and the freedom to express themselves. Team building breaks down barriers, and when backed up with team bonding sessions, it can revolutionise your team dynamic. It won’t be scary, I promise.

5. Say thank you when it is needed

In today’s fast paced world we tend to be overly reactive and spend a lot of time critiquing and correcting, rather than rewarding good work. STOP. Take the time to say thank you. It could be as simple as a quick conversation, a pat on the shoulder, positive passing comments relating to the small things or a staff BBQ on a Friday afternoon. Remind your team members that you couldn’t do this without them. Saying thank you has immeasurable benefits.

If after executing all of these steps you are still bathing in a sea of negativity, it might be worth inviting someone to take a look at your team culture from the outside, to provide you with some unbiased insight.

Just like politics, our working lives are founded around the concept of freedom of speech. Do whatever it takes to keep communication lines open and you will reap the rewards of a democratic workplace.

To discuss the politics of your office or team book our free strategy session