So you’re out and you’re working with civilians!

Posted on June 25, 2011

Quest Resettlement Magazine (July 2011)

With your second career underway you will notice some real differences but don’t be anxious or resentful. We do things in different ways, to different timescales and for different (financial) reasons.

First, civilians are simply different not better nor worse. We won’t fully understand your experiences and we may think you won’t understand ours. We may think that we are better in many ways and you “haven’t worked in this world so listen up”. I suggest you look to understand the thinking but you do not have to accept it.

In the field or on Det. You will very quickly get a sense of trust and “team”. Do not expect this in civvy street. Rather strangely it has to be earned. Clocking out at the end of the day brings a separation of work and colleague that does not always happen in military life so I suggest trust and camaraderie takes longer. It is, however, like in the military, founded upon actions which is something you can control.

Lastly here, while there will be no Military Intelligence to gather data on you, be aware that your new colleagues will look to know about you. It’s often what keeps the mundane job more appealing to some. Again, understand and move on.

Last year we had a General Election and I remember reading about the efforts the MoD went through to facilitate participation in the political process by serving soldiers abroad. Now however, there may be a political process you are forced into, perhaps are unaware of. Office politics exists in all organisations just more in some than in others.

Don’t get too hooked up on understanding this strange civilian phenomenon but to see it in action reminds me of fore warned is fore armed.

Some will tell you that being at the top of your (office politics) game is the way to promotion. I am much less certain. I have never needed to play those games to get ahead.

So, to avoid O.P. I suggest you simply avoid direct confrontation if an issue is directed (indirectly) at you. O.P. Is rarely to your face.

Approaching senior management is an option but I strongly suggest not your first method of discourse. Be yourself. Accept it is not you they are having a go at but at a resentment of what they believe you may represent. Even civilians have a right to their own opinion.

Be strong and stand firm but see the first point above. Degrees of “strong” exist. Perhaps join in but here’s the difference. Instead of confrontation provide the aggressor the listening and sympathetic ear and stand back to witness their rationale for the awkward moments die around them. They will think twice the next time.

So, the snap shot of civilian office politics; it is human nature and it is ubiquitous in any organisation, identify your options, recognise your degree of influence and remain positive. It’s not you, it’s very often “them”. Move on.

So now you have settled in well and understanding the pressures and responsibilities that surround you. It may now be time to consider routes to additional tasking, more team influence and further financial reward. In a word, it’s time for a promotion.

I know your not going to like all of the following but I would add that you are moving to my world and I not into yours. What I mean by this is that the world is continuously moving and changing. Is it always going to be procedural or via SOP’s? I tell you it will not be.

I remember when at GNER (Great North Eastern Railway) I was advised by the then CEO Christopher Garnett. He told me promotion, whether it was in the eyes of the customer or the employee looking upward, depends upon one key thing; in being timely. Be on time, do not look for excuses, dig in fully and your efforts will be noticed.

Here is the one you won’t like. When the boss is leaving for the night you should be seen still available or still working. This will impress a sense of loyalty with them and is called “show time” which is no longer the sole remit of the actor.

If confident in your abilities, you could volunteer for additional duties or hours. This will go some way towards letting your line manager know that you are a valuable resource which is being under utilised. One word of caution, however, is that you must not let your existing duties slip and you must conduct this pro bono effort fully and successfully.

The last point in gaining a promotion is two fold. When you are ready, when you have exceeded your boss’s expectations, when you are seen as exceptional and deserving, ask! Ask for the next upward move. Being Scottish I grew up with the old cliche shy bairns get nothing. If even this fails, perhaps it is time to move on elsewhere.

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