Why You Can't Ignore Office Politics

If you want to change the game, you have to be in the game. So don't dismiss office politics. 

I worked with a dedicated corporate director for a well-known national brand who felt disconnected from executive leadership but cringed at the idea of “playing politics.”

Makes sense. Her core values are integrity, authenticity, and empathy. Office politics felt manipulative and self-serving.

But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be.

She wanted to make a difference, so she learned to play the game her way.

The transformation? She went from doubtful and hidden to bold, self-assured, and visible to people of influence.

Here’s what she’s practicing:

⚡Resist the urge to see people as caricatures

Your empathy is a strength. Most people are doing their best while dealing with their own insecurities. It's easy to write off politically-minded colleagues as shallow, but seeing people clearly means checking your own assumptions first.

⚡Be strategically authentic

Organizational awareness is leadership 101. Use your observational skills to understand who influences what and how decisions really get made. Then build genuine relationships with people you can help, and who can help you.

It’s like canoeing down a river. Fighting the current wastes precious energy. Learn to move gracefully within the existing power structure. 

⚡Leverage what you're already good at

You know how to connect, listen, and build trust. Now do it proactively with people who matter, because you genuinely care about working together for great results.

⚡ Be a model of ethical influence

Politics gets a bad name from bad actors wrapped up in personal agendas. You’re not that, so lead the way with credibility, respect and clarity, and a focus on what’s best for the team and organization.