I used to hate office politics!
I viewed it as a major evil, disrupting the business dynamics and eroding our trust in the organization.
The idea of egos and personal preferences overshadowing the excellence of our company perplexed me. Why couldn’t we align and work harmoniously towards our common goals?
In retrospect, my perspective was somewhat naive.
Over time and through accumulating corporate life experiences, I’ve realized that politics in the workplace becomes inevitable as soon as there are more than two people in a company.
However, I didn’t initially grasp that understanding workplace politics is crucial for success. Of course, excelling in your role is essential, and you should avoid becoming a political bottleneck. Yet, comprehending the game’s intricacies allows you to master it and ultimately prevail.
Here are three fundamental principles I’ve learned to apply over the years:
1 – Understanding Information Flow and Decision-making
Deciphering the actual flow of information is paramount. Does information tend to be hoarded to establish power, or is it freely shared? Likewise, examining how promotions occur—whether based on performance or connections—provides valuable insights.
Take note of how business plans or initiatives are approved. Is it a swift process, or does it involve garnering support from key individuals before a committee decides their fate? With this knowledge of informal rules, you can start crafting a master plan for success within the organization.
2 – Engaging with Key Players
Once you’ve grasped the game’s rules, the next step is identifying and cultivating relationships with key players. Compile a list of individuals who hold the cards, including those who might pose obstacles. Rank them by impact, assess your current relationship, and see how each of them can contribute to your success.
Building relationships takes time and consistency. It’s like nurturing plants. So, get to know these stakeholders, understand their motivations, and focus on common interests. From there, you can seek their assistance with complex problems and use them as a sounding board for your ideas.
3 – Connecting the Dots and Aligning with the Shared Goals
As a young manager, I was vocal about almost every issue. I had my “pointless” point of view. But things went on, no matter if I was wrong or right.
However, I’ve since learned the importance of maintaining neutrality in debates and allowing diverse perspectives to converge.
So, help all voices be heard and bridge the gap between different viewpoints. Even better, remind them of the company’s goals and align discussions with that vision for the business. Explicitly tying shared goals to conversations will facilitate better, more informed decision-making within the team.
These principles serve as a starting point for navigating office politics in any organization.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to remember that if ethical issues or blatant unfairness persist to the point where playing the game feels untenable, think hard about whether to stay or leave.
Staying will quite probably mean you’ll have to comply and potentially live a miserable life. Some organizations are not worth draining your energy, no matter how well they might pay you.