Anyone who says they never play office politics is either lying or unemployed. It's unavoidable and HOW you do it can make or break your career. It's alive and well in tv news, real estate, and every industry, including healthcare. In fact doctors may be the worse! The higher-educated or profiled the "employee," the more office politics are involved. How to spot the backstabbers and brown-nosers and how you can improve your professional image.  Kissing a$$ is a slippery slope...tread lightly! Guests: Denny Hooten, Director of Group Operations, Healthcare Partners and Tom Costello, Tom Costello Estates.

Tips:

1. What everyone else doesn't know, CAN'T hurt you! Don't over-share. Beware the social work functions! (Holiday parties, training sessions, group activities)

2. Don't Gossip.  Listen actively and use information to your advantage.

3. Don't vent at work. The information can be used against you.

4. Choose your friends carefully: backstabbers and guilt by association.

5. You're alway being watched, whether you're an employee or a manager.

6. Kissing up: it works, but long term-- it's detrimental.