Advice for dealing with gossip, favoritism and the office saboteur

Office politics exist in every workplace. Whether you work at a small design agency or a major financial corporation, internal power struggles arise. But you don't need to be a master manipulator to get ahead; you simply must learn how to navigate murky waters.

Water cooler chatter can be both helpful and harmful. The trick is recognizing when to listen and when to cut and run.

Make sure you communicate to your supervisor your interest in taking on additional responsibility. Your manager might simply be waiting for you to step up and show initiative.

If someone's purposely undermining your efforts, you can respond in several ways. Be matter-of-fact but non-accusatory. Focus on the facts and don't let your emotions get the best of you. Offering a co-worker an opportunity to explain her side of the story might help clear the air.

If you feel confronting your co-worker is futile, document their behavior, collect concrete evidence supporting your claims and make note of how your performance was adversely affected. Then, bring the matter to your manager's attention in an objective, professional manner. Your goal is not to complain or vent but to apprise your manager of the situation, emphasizing how your co-worker's actions are impeding productivity.

The most appropriate tack to take will depend on your unique situation, as well as the communication styles and personalities of the other players involved. No matter what course of action you choose, you can rise above the fray if you remain professional, respectful and diplomatic.