Office Politics & Career Growth: Playing Smart Without Losing Yourself
Success Oyeshola, PMP?,PSM ?, MBA
Intentional Living Coach | Project Management Consultant | AI Enthusiast | Organizational Development Management |
Introduction: The Unspoken Game of the Workplace
You’ve probably heard it before—"I don’t do office politics." Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. But here’s the truth: Whether you engage or not, office politics exist. And the professionals who understand this don’t just survive in their workplaces—they thrive.
But how do you navigate office politics without becoming manipulative, losing your values, or playing dirty? How do you remain authentic while still being strategic? That’s what we’re unpacking today.
1?? Understanding Office Politics: It’s Not Always Toxic
Office politics often get a bad rap, and for good reason. When handled poorly, they lead to favoritism, backstabbing, and unnecessary drama. But at its core, office politics is simply about power dynamics, influence, and relationships.
? It’s the way decisions are made. ? It’s how leadership perceives employees. ? It’s how influence is built and careers progress.
Ignoring office politics doesn’t mean you’re “above it”—it often means you’re unknowingly allowing others to make decisions that affect you without your input.
2?? Playing Smart: Strategic Moves That Align with Your Values
So how do you “play the game” without losing yourself? Here are key strategies:
?? Observe Before You Engage – Every workplace has unspoken rules. Pay attention to how decisions are made, who has influence, and the relationship dynamics at play.
?? Stay Neutral in Conflicts – Avoid getting sucked into office gossip or toxic alliances. Instead, be known for your objectivity and professionalism.
?? Build Genuine Relationships – Office politics isn’t just about the boss. Colleagues, subordinates, and cross-functional teams all play a role in your career success. Engage authentically.
?? Communicate with Influence – Timing, tone, and who you speak to matter. If you have an idea, don’t just speak up—ensure you’re sharing it with the right people at the right time.
?? Deliver Results – Influence isn’t just about who you know; it’s also about what you bring to the table. When you consistently deliver value, you naturally earn trust and credibility.
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3?? Office Politics vs. Manipulation: The Key Difference
Being strategic in your workplace doesn’t mean being manipulative. The difference? Intent.
? Manipulation: Self-serving actions that harm others for personal gain. ? Strategic Influence: Aligning your strengths and relationships in a way that benefits both you and your organization.
Example:
One leads to distrust. The other builds credibility.
Actionable Tip: Strengthen Your Workplace Influence
This week, choose one strategic action to boost your workplace influence:
? Identify a key decision-maker in your workplace and observe how they navigate office dynamics.
? Strengthen an existing work relationship by offering support or collaboration.
? Speak up in one meeting to share a well-thought-out idea.
Little steps create big results over time.
Final Thoughts: The Best Politics Are Played with Integrity
The workplace is a game, but the best players don’t win by cheating. They win by mastering relationships, communication, and value creation.
How have you navigated office politics in your career? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear! ??
#CareerGrowth #OfficePolitics #WorkplaceSuccess #TheIntentionalProfessional
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3 周Hi Success, lovely read and quite fascinating. In my opinion and though it is a norm in our economic climate and workspace, I feel office politics should not be a thing. Most importantly, it should not be used as a yardstick for key performance and promotion evaluation as it is being used by team leaders to rate subordinates which brings about clouded judgement and BIAS. The ability to lick people ass is rated over the ability to deliver on the job as a result of cliques and favoritism which can be depressing really. People should be dealt equal and fair hands for productivity both as an individual as well as achieving company goals. And YES, in your own words; "ignoring it doesn’t mean it won’t affect you. It just means others are making career-shaping decisions without your input" - It does affect a few who tend not to engage in it as they are being considered left behind and "cannot play the game". Being a norm does not equate being right... Thank you.