Secrets to Winning at Office Politics

1. Office Politics is Unavoidable: Learn to Play the Game

Playing politics is like having sex. Almost everybody does it, but nobody is comfortable discussing exactly what they do.

Politics is natural. Office politics emerges whenever people with different goals, interests, and personalities work together. It's not inherently good or bad, but a fact of organizational life. Winning at office politics means acquiring the political power necessary to accomplish your goals, whether they involve promotions, autonomy, or job satisfaction.

Political Intelligence is key. Developing Political Intelligence allows you to:

• Define steps to achieve your goals
• Recognize power relationships
• Capitalize on opportunities to increase influence
• Identify true motives and hidden agendas
• Remain focused on important objectives
• Build positive relationships, even with difficult people
• Respond appropriately to attacks
• Turn conflicts into productive discussions

2. Understand the Organizational Facts of Life

The person with the most power wins.

Accept reality. Organizations are not democracies. Some key Organizational Facts of Life (OFOL) include:

• Organizations are power hierarchies
• Some people have more power than others
• Virtually all decisions are subjective
• Your boss has control over much of your life
• Fairness is an impossible goal

Manage upward. Once you accept these facts, focus on effectively managing your boss. Understanding and meeting their expectations, making them look good, and finding ways to work productively within the organizational structure will increase your influence and success.

3. Focus on Leverage, Not Fairness

Invisible contributions have no political value.

Leverage is power. Leverage means your ability to get others to do what you want. To increase your leverage:

• Deliver results that make your organization more competitive
• Develop impressive expertise in your work
• Maintain a consistently positive and helpful attitude
• Show empathy and understanding for others' problems
• Build a strong network of connections
• Include others in decisions and activities
• Maintain objectivity and detachment when appropriate

Forget fairness. Obsessing about fairness wastes energy. Instead, focus on increasing your leverage and taking actions that move you toward your goals.

4. Build a Strong Network of Allies

Positive relationships build political capital.

Cultivate allies. Allies provide information, advice, assistance, and support. They are your most valuable political asset. Types of allies include:

• Friends: Colleagues you naturally click with
• Partners: Those who depend on you to accomplish results
• Connections: People you can temporarily link up with for assistance

Expand your network. To build a stronger network:

• Identify people you need to know
• Seek opportunities for interaction
• Try to attract people, not repel them
• Strive for predictability in your behavior
• Get outside your comfort zone
• Look for shared interests or experiences
• Be helpful to others

5. Develop Political Intelligence to Navigate Power Dynamics

To get other people to change their behavior, you have to change your own.

Understand power. Accurately assess the distribution of power in your organization. Consider both position power (from one's role) and personal power (from individual characteristics and abilities).

Avoid power mistakes. Common errors include:

• Giving power away to domineering people
• Shying away from valuable opportunities
• Trying to use power you don't actually possess
• Letting ego or arrogance cloud your judgment
• Making emotional outbursts

Manage power relationships. Learn to effectively manage relationships in all directions:

• Upward with bosses and executives
• Laterally with colleagues
• Downward with employees (if you're a manager)

6. Avoid Common Political Pitfalls and Games

All behavior has a purpose.

Recognize political games. Common games include:

• Power Games: Suck-Up, Control, Shunning
• Ego Games: Superiority, Put-Down, In-Group
• Escape Games: Scapegoat, Avoidance

Avoid becoming "The Problem". Don't let uncontrolled emotions, a victim mentality, self-centeredness, or foolish reactions to change derail your career. Watch for warning signs that you may be viewed as a problem in your organization.

Exit toxic environments. If malicious political schemes are a way of life in your workplace, find a healthier place to work. Signs of a toxic workplace include constant power struggles, excessive ego-stroking, departmental warfare, and a culture of blame and backstabbing.

7. Master the Art of Influence in All Directions

Facts can be wrong. Opinions are simply different.

Balance direct and indirect influence. Develop a full range of influence skills:

• Observe and Wait
• Ask and Listen
• Persuade and Convince
• Order and Act

Understand the other side. To choose the best influence approach, consider the world from the other person's point of view. Try to understand their goals, concerns, and motivations.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Maintain focus on your true objectives, especially in complex or emotionally charged situations. Don't get distracted by diversionary tactics or lose sight of when you've achieved your goal.

8. Increase Your Political Power Through Performance and Perception

True political power is based on valued contributions.

Deliver results. Develop an ROI (return on investment) mind-set. Understand how your role contributes to organizational success and consistently deliver high-quality work that adds value.

Manage perceptions. Make your visible results "sparkle":

• Identify high-importance, high-visibility activities (Starmakers)
• Ensure low-importance, high-visibility tasks are done reliably (Maintenance)
• Increase the prominence of important but invisible work (Transparent Tasks)
• Eliminate or minimize low-importance, low-visibility activities (Time Wasters)

Act the part. Behave like the person you want others to see. Find appropriate role models and adapt their successful behaviors to your own style.

9. Sharpen Your Self-Management and Influence Skills

You always have choices about your behavior.

Master self-management. Develop three key skills:

1. Self-observation: Be aware of what you're doing
2. Self-control: Rein in your impulses
3. Selective behavior: Make conscious choices about your actions

Choose the right influence strategy. Consider:

• The person you're trying to influence
• Your specific goal in the situation
• The most appropriate approach (direct or indirect)

Expand your influence toolbox. Practice using a variety of influence skills, from observing and listening to persuading and directing. Adapt your approach to the situation and the person you're dealing with.

10. Create a Winning Political Game Plan

A leader is someone that people choose to follow.

Assess your situation. Regularly evaluate your political position and set clear goals for improvement.

Develop strategies. Based on your assessment, create action plans to:

• Save yourself from political suicide (if necessary)
• Achieve specific career objectives
• Increase your leverage and build political capital
• Deal with difficult people or situations
• Reduce stress and make work more enjoyable

Implement and adjust. Put your plan into action, monitor results, and be prepared to adapt as circumstances change. Remember that becoming a political Winner is an ongoing process of learning and growth.

Last updated: March 11, 2025