Hidden Rules of Office Politics and How to Navigate Authentically

Learn from real-world examples (and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) how to transform workplace dynamics, boosting your career and team culture.

What if there's a hidden game in your organization right now? A game with high stakes, unwritten rules, and mastering it could significantly advance your career. Are you intrigued? You should be. This game is office politics, and contrary to popular belief, you don't have to compromise your integrity to win it.

In fact, being authentic is the ultimate advantage. Are you curious about navigating office politics while staying true to your values?

Read on to discover strategies to guide you through this complex landscape and transform your career.

Surprising Truth About Office Politics

Here’s a story about Anaid, a product manager who started her career believing hard work alone would propel her forward. She avoided office politics, seeing it as whisper network weirdness and stepping on others to get ahead. Despite her talents and dedication, Anaid found promotions not coming as quickly as she hoped and desired projects going elsewhere.

Confused, Anaid spoke with colleagues and her coach. "I don't get it," she shared. "I work harder than anyone, my projects are successful, but I feel invisible. What am I doing wrong?"

With their guidance, Anaid realized she was “playing checkers in a chess world” - as her coach described it. She was thinking about office politics too narrowly.

Office politics isn't about manipulation. It's about understanding and navigating human relationships to achieve desired outcomes.

Surprise! The thing Anaid had been avoiding was the key to unlocking her potential and making a bigger impact. But how could this be true?

Reframing the Political Game

The term "office politics" often conjures images of backstabbing colleagues and shady dealings, just like Anaid originally thought. But those characteristics go beyond politics - they're toxic. At its core, office politics is the art of human dynamics in the workplace. It's about influence, relationships, and decision-making.

Think of office politics like a complex recipe or Peloton class. You could refuse to participate, but you'd be sitting out while everyone else enjoys the eat or beat. Let curiosity guide you and add your own dash of authenticity.

This reframing is crucial. Viewing office politics as a positive force – to build relationships, foster collaboration, and drive positive change – opens up a world of possibilities.

Not convinced? Try “office dynamics” instead of “office politics” on for size. Dynamics reflects how work gets done at every organization.

Essential Toolkit: Four Key Skills

If I could go back in time, I’d tell Anaid (aka me - Diana) that mastering office politics boils down to four key skills. Consider these your four Ninja Turtles.

1. Social Astuteness – Leonardo: As the group leader, Leonardo reads the room, picking up subtle cues, unspoken tensions, and alliances. He notices when enthusiasm seems forced or when silence speaks volumes. He can suss out the invisible currents shaping workplace dynamics.

2. Interpersonal Influence – Donatello: He’s not the loudest, but he uses intellect and the art of persuasion to get people on board. He knows when to assert his knowledge and when to let others lead, especially in situations requiring teamwork. He frames his ideas to make sense to others.

3. Networking Ability – Michelangelo: Mikey’s charm and easy-going nature enable him to connect with all kinds of people, building strong relationships inside and outside the team. His genuine personality helps him bring others together, bridging gaps in tough situations. He knows when to talk and when to get s**t done.

4. Authentic Sincerity – Raphael: Despite his tough exterior, Raphael is known for his raw authenticity. He doesn’t hide or pretend to be someone else, making his sincerity clear to others. People respect him because he’s genuine and interested in others, even if he’s sometimes rough around the edges.

I’d love to say the change in me happened immediately, but it took small steps and practice. Over time, office politics that once seemed bleak became a way for me to walk away with a win, not just for myself but more importantly for my team. I became a stronger leader and gained more allies for my team.

Three Game-Changing Strategies

Now that we understand the core skills, here are the three most powerful strategies to navigate office politics:

1. Become an Amplifier

Here's a counterintuitive idea: The best way to gain influence is by spotlighting others. Sounds very people-first, right? Cool, huh!?!

In your next meeting, try this: When someone shares a great idea that gets overlooked, speak up. "That's a brilliant point, Raphael. I'd love to explore your idea about streamlining our process further." Or, "Michelangelo's suggestion reminds me of a successful approach from our last project. Would you mind telling us more?" — remember our prior post on Executive Presence.

Amplification can change your workplace dynamic. You're not just helping others – you're positioning yourself as a leader who values and nurtures talent. You become the person people want to work with because you have their back and bring out the best in the team.

2. Build Authentic Relationships

Approach relationships with genuine curiosity. In your next one-on-one, ask: "What's the biggest challenge you're facing right now?" or "What's a project you're excited about?"

These authentic conversations can turn competition into collaboration. Don't stop there. Follow up on these conversations. Show you care about their success as much as your own.

Start by having real or virtual coffee with different team members monthly. Learn about their goals, frustrations, and lives outside work. Become a supporter and be amazed when you gain one for your next major project.

3. Navigate Conflicts with Curiosity

When tensions rise, most people confront or withdraw. But there's a more powerful option. Next time you face a difficult colleague, try this approach: Use curiosity to understand their perspective first.

It sounds like this: "I see this project means a lot to you. Have you faced this situation before? What did you do that worked?" Or, "It seems we have different views. I'd love to learn more about your perspective."

This approach does two things: It disarms the other person (it's hard to be angry at someone genuinely trying to understand you), and it gives you valuable information to find a solution.

Change Starts With a Ripple

If you’re in an environment where office politics have gone the way of Squid Game, consider the culture. Office politics is about leveraging influence within a workplace, while culture defines the environment and behaviors that inform those dynamics.

Cultures that permit backstabbing, favoritism to determine work assignments / promotions, withholding information to gain power, or taking credit for others' work are harming the entire organization.

A recent hybrid work data study by Owl Labs found that 45% of U.S. workers have not wanted to go into the office because of their employer or colleague’s political opinions. This trend is particularly acute for full-time in-office workers (50%) versus hybrid/remote workers (37%). 

In such situations, here are my recommended tactics:

• Document Everything: Keep a record, as the information can be crucial if you need to escalate the issue.

• Address it Directly: If you feel safe, have a private conversation with the person. Use “I” and “we” statements to express the impact on you and others.

• Call on Allies: Together you can address systemic issues more effectively as there is strength in numbers.

• Elevate to Leadership: If executives are not the cause, present the issue factually, focusing on how the behavior impacts team productivity and morale.

• Lead by Example: Continue to embody people-first behaviors, as your approach can influence others who feel the same way and are hesitant to speak up.

Even in challenging environments, your actions can create ripples of positive change. Stay true to your values—be the leader you aspire to be.

Your Turn to Transform Office Politics

Every interaction is an opportunity to build a more positive, collaborative workplace. Every meeting, email, and casual conversation in the conference/Zoom room are opportunities to apply these strategies.

Start small. In your next meeting, amplify a colleague's idea. Reach out to someone you don't know well and ask about their projects. In your next disagreement, pause and seek to understand before responding.

Ready to transform your office dynamics? Start implementing these strategies today and become the leader you aspire to be! Share your experience in the comments below.

Let's learn from each other. Lancaster and I are excited to join you!