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10 Tips for Talking Politics at Work

How to Survive Election Season Without Killing Your Coworkers or Getting Fired

3. Listen and Keep an Open Mind

Politics -- and society in general -- could benefit from a little more listening & a little less noise.

Again, this is the difference between having a conversation about politics and turning water cooler chats into political trench warfare. It's understandable (and even commendable) to have strong opinions that are backed up by facts, logic and reason. But it's also important to remember that we are always learning new things. So instead of closing your mind and simply formulating your arguments while the other person is giving his/her point of view, how about actually listening to what they have to say and take it to heart? Or at the very least, pretend that's what you're doing.

This goes beyond political talk and has more to do with respect for coworkers and making people feel like what they say matters. If you've already got a reputation in work meetings as the person who does all the talking and is dismissive of new ideas, your inflexibility during political office debates is only going to make things worse.

 

  • Aaron Gouveia

    Aaron Gouveia has worked as the Content Manager of Salary.com since 2011. Prior to that, he was an award-winning journalist at several prominent New England newspapers. Read more...