Just staying out of it could stunt your career.

如果你因為潔身自好而不去參與，反而很可能會阻礙自身前途。

Here's how to jump in and get ahead – without getting burned.

這裡我們將教你如何取得優勢，並且不引火自焚。

You will need observation skills, goals, allies, social skills, and tact.

你需要具備觀察技巧、目標、同盟夥伴、社交技巧、以及策略。

Step 1. Observe how your workplace functions.

第一步：觀察你的職場是如何運行的。

Pay attention to the company's core values and how they most effectively get put into action.

注意公司的核心價值，以及這些價值付諸實踐的方式。

Also, find out who is influential and take note of what they respond to.

同時也要找出誰具有影響力，然後觀察他們常跟誰說話。

Step 2. Set objectives with your boss that contribute to the company's goals and develop your value as an employee.

第二步：和你的老闆一起設定對公司目標有助益的計畫，同時也能發展你身為職員的價值。

Inform your boss when you meet certain benchmarks to create a track record of goal-oriented success.

在達成特定目標之後通知你的老闆，創造出達成一連串目標導向之成功案例的紀錄。

Step 3. Get the support of coworkers by reciprocating favors and offering your expertise on projects.

第三步：經由提供自己專門的意見來禮尚往來地幫助同事，並藉此獲得他們的支援。

Only accept a manageable workload. In the long run, coworkers will respect you more if they know you have the power to say "no."

但接受下來的工作量要合理。從長遠角度來看，同事們如果知道你有能力說「不！」 的話會更尊重你。

Step 4. Build a network that incorporates several different groups and departments.

第四步：建立一個結合數個不同團體以及部門的人脈。

Aligning yourself too strongly with one could leave you out in the cold if they fall out of favor.

若是過度向某一個團體靠攏，便很有可能在他們失勢的時候也跟著被公司冷落。

Step 5. Sidestep gossip.

第五步：遠離八卦。

The target of gossip one day could be a decision-maker the next.

你在八卦的對象有可能會在某天變成決策者。

If you find yourself in the middle of a nasty exchange, excuse yourself, or focus the conversation on the people talking, not the person being talked about.

當你發現自己正參與著一個惡毒的八卦討論時，找藉口離開，或是把話題從當下在八卦的對象轉移到說話者自身。

Step 6. Brag.

第六步：自吹自擂。

Just make sure to do it tactfully, and always give your coworkers credit for shared accomplishments.

但要有技巧地吹噓，並在描述共同的成就時總是提到同事們幫了多大的忙。

Telling people about your accomplishments increases the chances your boss will learn of your successes from someone other than you, which works in your favor when they're deciding who gets a promotion, and who gets the ax.

告訴他人你的成就會提升老闆從別人嘴裡聽到你成功經驗的機會，讓上層在決定升遷、降職或裁員時對你更有利。

Did you know? In a recent survey, more than half of employees said the competitive level of office politics had increased over the previous five years.

你知道嗎？最近的一份問卷調查指出，有半數以上的職員表示辦公室政治在這五年來變得更加競爭激烈了。