A is for always getting to work on time.
B is for being extremely busy.
C is for the conscientious way you do your job.
You may be all these things at the office, and more. But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say, the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office politics.
Dale Carnegie suggested as much more than 50 years ago: Hard work alone doesn't ensure career advancement.
You have to be able to sell yourself and your ideas, both publicly and behind the scenes. Yet, despite the obvious rewards of engaging in office politics—a better job, a raise, praise—many people are still unable—or unwilling—to “play the game.”
“People assume that office politics involves some manipulative behavior,” says Deborah Comer, an assistant professor of management at Hofstra University. “But politics derives from the word‘polite’. It can mean lobbying and forming associations, it can mean being kind and helpful or even trying to please your superior, and then expecting something in return.”
In fact, today, experts define office politics as proper behavior used to pursue one's own self-interest in the workplace. In many cases, this involves some form of socializing within the office environment——not just in large companies, but in small workplaces as well.
“The first thing people are usually judged on is their ability to perform well on a consistent basis,” says Neil P.Lewis, a management psychologist. “But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best. It's simple human nature.”
Yet, psychologists say, many employees and employers have trouble with the concept of politics in the office. Some people, they say, have an idealistic vision of work and what it takes to succeed. Still others associate politics with flattery,fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may appear to be flattering their boss for favors. Experts suggest altering this negative picture by recognizing the need for some self-promotion.
“Office politics” (Line 3, Para. 4) is used in the passage to refer to________.
根据倒数第三段专家给的定义“…experts define office politics as proper behaviors used to pursue one's own self-interest in the workplace. In many cases, this involves some forms of socializing within the office environment…” 可知 office politics（办公室政治） 是指一种和办公室环境有关的关系， 故 C 项为正确答案。
To get promoted, one must not only be competent but ________.
从文章倒数第二段倒数第二句“But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best.” 可以推断出， 给经理留下好的印象也是个人提升的关键， 故 A 项为正确答案。
Why are many people unwilling to “play the game” (Line 5, Para. 5)?
play the game 指的是 office politics。再由第六段“People assume that office politics involves some manipulative behavior” 及最后一段“others associate politics with flattery” 可知人们对 office politics 存在错误的理解，认为 office politics 就是阿谀奉承， 故 B 项为正确答案。
The author considers office politics to be________.
第四段第二句， 作者第一次提出了个人晋升与 office politics 有重要关系； 利用第五段卡耐基的话及第八段的事例又说明了 office politics 重要性； 文章最后再一次提出为了个人晋升要改变那些对 office politics负面的看法， 所以作者认为 office politics 对于个人发展是重要的因素， 故 D 项为正确答案。
It is the author's view that________.
文章第四段第二句作者提出话题， 从“But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say, the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office politics” 可以看出作者认为个人晋升并不一定意味着谄媚， 故 B项为正确答案。