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Politically savvy people in the workplace understand that there are two keys to surviving and prospering in the office environment:

1. Be visible, be sociable Keeping your head down so that you can focus on just doing your job is not, ironically a virtue on the road to career success because humans are social creatures and keeping to yourself, or 'getting cranky about interruptions', is not sociable behaviour.

Aristotle said it best: Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual.

Author Rohit Bhargava wrote in Likeonomics The Unexpected Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behaviour, and Inspiring Action': Humans are social creatures. We choose to build relationships and do business with people we know and like. In a world of crowded media, with lots of organisations, politicians, and people competing for our attention, the key to success is your ability to earn trust Trusted people are more influential and successful".

2. Don't avoid conflict and learn to speak up

Turning the other cheek is unlikely to help your career. The workplace, as we said, is a social environment and that means that conflict and tension are inevitable.

In conflicts involving other people, avoid taking sides.

If you feel like you're being dragged into something, be neutral, listen sympathetically and where possible, facilitate communication with positive suggestions.

However, when you come under attack, it is important to push back when the problem is worth fighting for. Never make it personal.

In order to win at office politics, you need to make a conscious choice about how to respond to certain situations. Overreactions only make things worse, advises Business consultant and psychologist Heather Uczynski.

Don't make winning a zero-sum game. But win-win is a trite, overused phrase, particularly in the workplace. But it's important to avoid being too competitive with people when it's to your advantage to cooperate. Remember, you're on the same team.

"Helping others get what they want will ultimately make it easier for you to get what you want. What political savvy boils down to is having good communication skills and knowing how to treat people."