Office politics: every workplace has them. 

Mastering this often-subtle game is a crucial skill, and its importance amplifies as you climb the career and partnership ladder, raising the stakes involved.

In a recent episode of the Speed Coach podcast, I worked with Mary, a lawyer who recently joined a mid-sized law firm. Her experience highlighted the complexities of navigating team dynamics and the need to forge strong relationships within a new professional environment or risk confusion and conflict.

Drawing from such real-world scenarios, here are four more actionable strategies to effectively manage workplace politics:

1. Cultivate Professional Relationships with Your Colleagues

Establishing boundaries is fundamental when navigating the intricacies of workplace politics. While building rapport with fellow employees is essential, avoid the pitfall of oversharing personal details.

Refrain from divulging excessive personal information, as this can inadvertently be used against you in power plays. 

Similarly, actively steer clear of gossip, as it can damage your reputation and erode trust.

2. Sharpen Your People Skills

Strong interpersonal skills are invaluable assets when manoeuvring through office politics. They empower you to understand the underlying motivations of your colleagues and adapt your own behaviour effectively in potentially uncomfortable situations.

Cultivating positive relationships with individuals you might not naturally gravitate towards is also key. These skills enable you to interact constructively, even with those you find challenging. This involves developing your emotional intelligence – the capacity to recognise and understand the emotions of others, as well as your own. By honing this ability, you can better perceive subtle cues, avoid being negatively influenced, and refrain from impacting others adversely. For instance, instead of reacting defensively when a colleague makes a mistake, an emotionally intelligent approach involves offering guidance and support to rectify the error calmly and professionally, fostering a more positive and collaborative environment.

3. Combat Workplace Politics Through a Positive Culture

The roots of workplace politics often lie in a foundation of distrust and unchecked ambition. In such environments, employees become wary, constantly looking over their shoulders instead of focusing on their tasks. This scepticism stifles open communication and collaboration, as individuals fear betrayal when sharing ideas or working together.

Building a positive workplace culture is a powerful antidote to these negative political dynamics. Boosting employee engagement through the active acceptance and encouragement of feedback is crucial. Furthermore, employees value leaders who show genuine concern for their needs beyond the professional sphere, offering empathy for personal challenges and fostering an empowering and positive atmosphere that encourages better performance.

To further cultivate a healthy environment, ensure reasonable deadlines for projects and avoid the stifling effects of micromanagement. Allowing individuals to feel ownership and pride in their work naturally promotes healthy competition.

4. Be Politically Intelligent

While often perceived negatively, workplace politics can be a neutral force, and even a tool for positive outcomes. By developing your political intelligence, you can achieve your objectives without causing harm to others, ultimately contributing to your career growth. Exercising your influence thoughtfully and strategically can be beneficial.

A key aspect of this is identifying individuals with significant influence within the company and establishing meaningful connections with them. When practiced with awareness and empathy within a healthy workplace context, engaging in workplace politics can be a constructive and valuable skill.

Tune into “The New People Pleasing Lawyer v The Older Prickly Lawyer” on Spotify or Apple to hear how I helped Mary navigate the team dynamics in the new firm she had joined, and understand the dynamics of the new partnership she had joined. 

What office politics are you struggling with in your professional life?

If you’re ready to step up your game and deal constructively with the politics in your workplace, you can book an introductory call with me here.