Inevitably, you may find yourself on the receiving end of someone else's political aspirations. Astute managers take precautions to protect themselves — and their employees — against the political maneuverings of others. These precautions can also help if your own strategies go wrong. What can you do to protect yourself?

Document the progress of your department's projects and activities, especially when expected changes in plans or temporary setbacks affect your project. Documenting the changes or setbacks gives you an accurate record of your projects' history and ensures that individuals who don't have your best interest at heart don't forget (or inappropriately use them against you).

The form of the documentation can vary, but the following are most common:

• Confirmation memos
• Activity reports
• Project folders
• Correspondence files
• Notes