Final Thoughts on Office Politics

Implying that you can “win” at office politics indicates that there is also a loser—and that is not the point of this process. Any time you work with human beings, you are subject to the complexities of various relationships: trust, credibility, communication, turf issues, and the multiple nuances of getting other people to do what you want them to, or to not do what you don’t want them to. The focus, then, is how to leverage office politics as a form of personal influence, avoiding the possible hazard zones that can have negative consequences for you and your career.

Make listening well a major component of your strategy. Listen to the constructive criticism of others. Whether you agree with them or not, the opinions of your work and your style that others have can affect your career in a very real way. Listen, too, for clues as to which departments, projects, or skill sets are getting the most (or least) amount of attention (and funding). If you’re in one of the areas that seem to be singled out as being more expensive or less effective than they should be, it is time to regroup.

Creating a strong political strategy is a method for getting a bigger return on your investment of time and energy, while enhancing your position at work. Let your strategy include collaboration, communication, and honesty; fight your own battles (and choose them carefully); keep your eyes on the prize; and keep laughing—proven ways to leverage workplace politics.