Read live interviews and questions and answers on office politics below

• Don’t steal my idea!

  Imagine what your office would be like if everyone walked around with big signs saying, "Don't steal my idea!" It would be laughable — and it wouldn’t work. That ridiculous image came to mind when Globe and Mail reporter Dave McGinn, called me up for a story about co-workers ripping off ideas. Companies would grind to a halt if no one was willing to share their thoughts. So what can we do to create an environment where people will see that sharing their ideas is actually their greatest source of power? - 6 days ago

• Be Strategic to Achieve Your Dreams

  Book review by Franke James: Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Out-Think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change Author: Erika Andersen Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Out-Think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change Most reviewers have focused on Being Strategic for its value in business planning. But I'd like to talk to you about reading it to help you achieve your life's dreams -- and to build your Castle-on-the-Hill. - 2 weeks ago

• Two Gossipy Queen Bees Rule

  Dear Office-Politics, I have been in my job for a little over a year. I am approximately 15 years older than most of my colleagues. I am younger than my supervisor and her supervisor. They are both very happy with my performance and I love what I do. The problem is that the group I work with (8 people) is made up of early to mid-twenties (except for one my age) who are gossipy and attached at the hip. They eat lunch together nearly every day. They discuss those not at lunch. When confronted with an issue at work they discuss it as a group and fear voicing their opinions in meetings (two queen bees rule the roost). I can handle most of this just fine. I stay out of gossip and focus on performing well. The issue for me is that they have the mentality that there needs to be group socialization outside of work. I have never felt pressured in my nearly 20 years as a working professional to socialize with an entire group outside of work. I'll respect you and work with you at work but don't want to sacrifice time to be with people who I would never socialize with in the "real world." - 4 weeks ago

• Our employee is a friend (but she is turning into a monster!)

  Dear Office-Politics, Help! My husband and I founded our business together over 25 years ago. We have been actively involved in the business together as partners. I am well qualified with vast business experience, including being a legal secretary. The company grew steadily and was profitable. Flash forward: We started a new company when we were swindled out of our former business. Our growth has necessitated hiring more help - 2 friends, and our daughter-in-law. One woman is extraordinarily intelligent, and very capable. She apparently thinks it is her job to run the office completely and seems annoyed whenever I’m involved. She knows that I am her supervisor and “boss.” She has defined part time hours. My husband told her in a joint meeting that she was the office manager (my title) without speaking with me about it. - 2 months ago

• How to deal with a dismissive, disrespectful and arrogant employee?

  Dear Office Politics, As a director of marketing, I manage a great team of nine in a large organization. Lately I'm experiencing some challenges from a senior member of the team (let's call her Sharon). Based on her proven and potential ability, I have sent Sharon on a major conference, provided financial recognition for work well done, been supportive in some interpersonal issues, and given her the lead on important projects. However, considering she reports to me, her behavior towards me has increasingly felt dismissive, disrespectful and arrogant. - 2 months ago

• Demotion is a bitter pill to swallow

  Dear Office-Politics, I work for a government agency where the Executive Director is a political appointment, rather than a hire based on knowledge and experience. Since this Director started, it has become obvious that he holds in small regard employees who have advanced program technical knowledge and skills, unless those employees are in a management position. This I firmly believe stems from his lack of experience in what we do and how difficult the work is. The cultural climate at our agency has become one that revolves around the power of management and the "executive team" (the new name for our top administrators). The book our Executive Director most often quotes from is "From Good to Great". The concept that appalls me the most in this book deals with management "shaking things up" by getting the wrong people off the bus, and the right people on. Bus being our agency. "Wrong people" seems to be me! - 2 months ago

• Did my trainer sabotage my efforts?

  Dear Office-Politics, I’m currently in a 8-week internship and have 2 weeks left and need to finish strong and gracefully. During my internship, I was assigned to someone who’s supposed to teach me about the experimental methods and data analysis of my project. Nevertheless, he has consistently delayed me and made me wait on several occasions. I understand that he’s busy, but the delay got so great that I confronted him about it and he self-corrected and made an effort to show me some of the experimental methods. My suspicion is that he’s in self-preservation mode and doesn’t want me to come in, perform well, and potentially take his job; even though he has a PhD with respected publications and I only have a BS. Also, he’s a foreigner and doesn’t have good English skills. - 3 months ago

• Barbed remarks & rumors in new job

  Dear Office-Politics, Recently I was unlucky enough to lose my job. Then after around three months of interviewing, I landed another job. I am young and have been reasonably successful so far in my career. The problem is another executive's assistant who sits just outside my new office. I have known "Virginia" for 3 years from my previous job, although not well, we were friendly when we saw each other. On my first day she told me not to get too excited about my office as it was "supposed to be hers." I have joined the company as a VP and she has been there for at least 8 years and is an assistant/coordinator (and is older than me). Every day Virginia makes some kind of barbed remark, even though I am trying my very best to be extra friendly and polite. I hear her on the phone all day speaking to other members of staff and she is rude, often shouts and even scares the interns that sit near her with her phone manner. She also seems emotional (on the first day she was crying on the phone, it was business rather than personal related). Her manager, however seems to like her (they have been working together for 8 years). - 4 months ago