Navigating Office Politics

🎣 “They didn’t even cc me.” This was how Yumi, a senior marketing director, found out her billion-dollar product had been repositioned, without her input. The project she had been leading for 18 months was suddenly reporting into someone else. She didn’t mess up. She wasn’t underperforming. She just wasn’t "there". Not at the executive offsite. Not at the Friday “golf and growth” circle. Not at the CEO’s birthday dinner her male peer casually got invited to. She was busy being excellent. They were busy being bonded. 🍷 When she asked her boss about the change, he was surprised: “You’re usually aligned with the bigger picture, so we assumed it’d be fine.” In Workplace politic-ish: Yumi was predictable. Available. Yet not powerful enough to be consulted. 🔍 What actually happened here? Women are told to build relationships. Men build alliances. Women maintain connections. Men maintain relevance in power circles. It’s not about how many people like you. It’s about how many people speak your name when you’re not in the room. And in most companies, the real decisions - about budget, headcount, succession, are made off-the-clock and off-the-record. 📌 So, how do you stop getting edited out of influence? Try these: 1. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗽.    Not the org chart. The whisper network / shadow organistion.    Who gets invited to early product reviews?    Who influences without title?    Start mapping that!     2. 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁.    If your name hasn’t been mentioned by 3 different people in senior leadership this month, you are invisible to power, even if you’re a top performer.     3. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.    Skip the webinars and female empowerment panels.    Start showing up where strategy happens: QBRs, investor briefings, offsite planning, cross-functional war rooms.     4. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.    Schedule recurring 1:1s with lateral stakeholders, not to “catch up,” but to co-build. Influence travels faster across than up.     5. 𝗕𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀.    If you vanished for 2 weeks and no one noticed, you’re not central enough to promote.     🧨 If any of this feels raw, it’s because it is. Brilliant women are being rewritten out of their own stories, not for lack of performance, but for lack of positioning. That’s why Uma, Grace and I created 👊 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀👊 A course for women who are done watching strategic mediocrity rise while they wait for recognition. It’s not about becoming someone else. It’s about learning the rules that were never designed for us, and playing like you intend to win. 🔗 Get it if you’re ready, link in comment. Or wait until they “assume you’d be aligned,” too.

Don’t be blindsided by sneaky corporate politicians. I lost my job as VP at a startup because of decisions made behind my back, behind closed doors. This taught me to be much more aware of corporate politics. Most people say they dislike politics. They want to know how to navigate them without having to be political themselves. The good news is you can definitely do this - I cover exactly how below. The first thing to know is that influence and politics are different. Both are used to impact decisions and outcomes, but for different reasons and approached in different ways. –Influence is seeking the best decision; politics is seeking personal benefit or gain. –Influence is done transparently; politics is hidden and often even denied. –Influence is earned, based on track record and data; politics is manipulative, hiding data and distorting facts. To avoid political surprises: 1. Do not drive dissent underground. Be open and invite discussion. Many people will accept a decision they do not like if they feel heard and understood. Deny them this and they will resort to sneaky politics to try to manipulate the outcome. 2. Create strong relationships with decision makers and set the expectation of being included in discussions. If someone does attempt to go behind your back, you want your leaders and stakeholders to step in and stop them, or at least tell you what is going on. “Politics” can only happen when multiple people are willing to keep a decision hidden from you. --In your own leadership, avoid tolerating politics within your team. If you show people around you that you are open to secret, private influence, either from peers or favorite subordinates, then you contribute to a political environment. If you do not stick to transparency and open decisions yourself, you create a culture of politics that will come back to bite you later. --Learn who is political in your company. The best way to avoid being blindsided is by being attentive to politics without becoming jaded or suspicious of everyone. You want to cultivate awareness. Look for unhappy faces in meetings and listen carefully for words that seem to indicate agreement without really saying yes. Statements like “We'll look at your request in the next sprint” sound very supportive, but don’t actually commit to anything. The truth is that human beings are wired to get what is best for themselves. We cannot eliminate this part of our nature. However, what we can do is be more aware of this reality. We can also influence others to see that politics will eventually hurt them, while building transparent influence will benefit them, helping to build relationships, alliances, and coalitions. My colleagues Omar Halabieh, Steve Huynh, Sundas Khalid, and Rajdeep Saha are all sharing insights on how to navigate these tough situations. Read their perspectives in their posts and comments. What lessons have helped you navigate politics at work?

85% of Professionals Face Office Politics Master these unwritten laws. Succeed ethically. Most get it wrong: ↳ They hide. ↳ They think politics means playing dirty. ↳ They ignore reality and suffer consequences. The real danger? ↳ Career stagnation. ↳ Watching less competent peers get promoted. ↳ Being excluded from critical organizational decisions. Harvard research reveals the truth: ↳ Top performers engage. ↳ They master ethical political navigation. ↳ They build relationships while maintaining integrity. Here are 9 office politics truths you can embrace to survive and thrive: 1. Be Careful Who You Complain To ↳ That "supportive" colleague can weaponize your words ↳ Even casual venting leaves permanent traces 2. Don’t Assume Silence Means Agreement ↳ People stay silent to avoid conflict, not to support you. ↳ What’s left unsaid is often more important than words. 3. Control Your Non-Verbal Cues ↳ People assess your power before you speak. ↳ Master neutral facial expressions and a calm tone. 4. Read the Room Before Speaking Up ↳ Pay attention to relationships and power dynamics. ↳ Speaking at the wrong time can create enemies. 5. Align with Decision-Makers, Not Just Your Boss ↳ Your boss isn’t always the final decision-maker. ↳ Build rapport with key gatekeepers of power. 6. Stay Close to Problem-Solvers, Not Complainers ↳ Surround yourself with solution-oriented colleagues. ↳ Being around complainers hurts your credibility. 7. Leverage the Power of Strategic Silence ↳ Sometimes, saying nothing is your greatest advantage. ↳ A well-timed pause commands authority and respect. 8. Don't Jump To Answer. Respond Thoughtfully ↳ Buy yourself time with smart questions if needed. ↳ "Great question! Can you share more context?" 9. Guard Your Reputation Relentlessly ↳ You can’t control others, but you control your actions. ↳ Counter any credibility attacks with excellence. Political intelligence isn't manipulation. It's understanding the dynamics of human behavior. That's how ethical leaders become the most influential. Which one of these have you experienced? Let me know in the comments. ♻️ Repost to protect others from career blindspots. ➕ Follow me (Meera Remani) for no-nonsense leadership truths.

"I don’t do office politics.” Cool. But does office politics do you? A few years ago, our Head of Marketing went on leave and left me in charge as her 2IC. I got her handover notes, locked in, and focused on closing out all pending departmental tasks alongside my own. Now, here’s some context: I’m a pretty languid person by nature. As a creative at the core, I live (and work) mostly in my head. So even when I’m deeply engaged, I tend to look chill, earphones in, focused, and low-drama. I don’t make a fuss. I just get on with it and send updates when I’m done. But here’s the thing: that body language can be misleading. When my manager resumed, the feedback I got was scathing. It felt like I’d done nothing, even though every single task had been ticked off. Why? Because I hadn’t engaged the CEO on what was happening. I didn’t seek alignment. I didn’t carry her along. I had focused on execution only, not expectation. I held on to that lesson. The following year, when my manager was on leave again, I switched up. This time, I was practically glued to the CEO, running major ideas by her, sharing suggestions, syncing frequently. When my manager returned, the feedback was completely different. That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: You don’t have to play dirty to get ahead, but you do have to play smart. So, even if you hate office politics, here are 5 things you should do: 1. Spotlight Your Boss Nicely: Learn what makes your boss look good, then help them do it. Do they love clean data? Public praise? Whatever it is, align your support accordingly. It builds trust and leverage you can cash in when you need it. 2. Make Your Value Visible: Your work might speak for itself, but it may be whispering. Sometimes, CC your boss or key stakeholders on important updates. It’s a subtle way to remind people you’re delivering, without looking like a show-off. 3. Agree in public, negotiate privately: You may not win every battle in the moment, and while nobody wants to watch a public sparring match, a simple, “I see what you’re getting at, let's chat more later,” works wonders. For senior people, you can approach them by saying, “I have some thoughts on what you mentioned during the meeting…” This can save you and your idea. 4. Keep Your Cool: Disagree with respect, stay insightful, and keep your tone calm. People may forget what you said, but they’ll remember how you made them feel. Stay steady under pressure, while raising your voice does the opposite. 5. Avoid Making ‘I Quit’ Jokes: It may just be banter, but even casual quitting jokes can plant seeds of doubt about your commitment. Stay positive and rooted until you’re genuinely ready to go; don’t make people wonder if you’ve mentally checked out. In conclusion, ignoring office dynamics doesn’t make you noble. Know the rules. Stay authentic. And protect your influence without losing yourself in the mud. What’s your best low-drama tip for navigating office politics? Share.

You may like it or not, but politics are a part of the Product Management world. How can data-driven PMs drive their vision despite that? Let me tell you, initially in my career I was almost allergic to politics. All I wanted to do was do my job to the best of my abilities and not care for other people's ambitions and egos. It took a little time until I fully understood that in most companies there is simply no escaping this. If you want to be kept on the payroll and improve your product, you will have to be politically engaged in some level. So, how can we ensure our data-driven vision and discovery efforts are not trumped by someone else's personal goals? 1) Build Strong Relationships Start with any PM should do, politics or otherwise. Be a charming, transparent, reliable, inspiring, and empathic leader and colleague. When people know and trust you, they're more likely to support your ideas and defend you from others' egoism. 2) Communicate Clearly Present your data and insights in a way that resonates with different audiences. Also aim to say the right stuff, supported by data, to the right crowd at the right time via the right medium. In that case, lots of "rights" make an even greater right! Sidenote: Less is more in terms of clear comms :) Also, always focus on demonstrating tangible value for the clients. That can help overcome political obstacles. 3) Align with Business Goals You may be sick and tired of politics, but at the same time have some pet projects you'd like to push despite weak data backing or poor alignment with current goals. Police yourself in this regard and you will have fewer angles of potential political attack open for your "opposition". 4) Know where to let go Sometimes the best investment would be to simply do what you are asked. As long as it is sporadic and can win you allies long-term, it's a strategic move. Just keep the paper trail in case the request you follow backfires. 5) Leverage Allies Once you build a set of allies and authority, use it to have a stronger voice in the room. In other words: Use politics to build the best product possible. Career growth and recognition will follow organically and you don't need to change your career into a Product. 6) Don't let it get you down You may execute the previous 5 points flawlessly and still feel like everything is playing to office politics. Just stay strong, don't let it get to you, and be a beacon of reason and sound decisions. Hopefully, you will lead by example! So, do you have to struggle with politics at work? Sound off in the comments! #productmanagement #productmanager #officepolitics P.S. To become a Product Manager who can navigate politics while staying data-driven, be sure to check out my courses on www.drbartpm.com :)

"Why aren’t your ideas getting approved?”😭😭😭🙌🙌🙌 When I took on my first director role at the age of 26 I was certain I was smart, prepared, and performance-driven. I brought bold, thoughtful proposals into the boardroom. And..then....... silence.😭😭😭 Or polite deferrals. Or “let’s revisit this next quarter.” I thought results would speak for themselves. They didn’t. It wasn’t until my coach said: “You’re playing chess, but you’re only looking at the board not the players.”😭😭😭😭😭 That’s when I learned: Organizational politics isnt dirty . It’s reality. And ignoring it doesn’t make you principled it makes you ineffective. I learnt then that being Politically Savvy is actually a leaderboard Competency for C- Suite leaders. Here are 10 aspects of organizational politics that I have learnt over my 22 years of working that no leader can afford to ignore : 1. Informal Power Brokers Some of the most influential people don’t have big titles. They have trust, access, and networks. Find them. 2. Gatekeepers Every room has people who control the flow of ideas and people. If you don't have them onside, you're not getting through. 3. Timing & Influence Even brilliant proposals fail when they land at the wrong time or haven’t been seeded properly behind the scenes. 4. Don’t Surprise the Boardroom If your idea is being heard for the first time in the meeting, it’s already in trouble. Pre-socialize. Test reactions. Secure allies.People won't attack your ideas if you have them a chance to add their thoughts beforehand. 5. Hidden Agendas Everyone has priorities. Some are declared, some aren’t. Don’t be naive—figure out what really drives each stakeholder. 6. Alliances & Coalitions You can't drive change alone no matter how smart you are . Have people who are willing to go to bat for your idea when you're not in the room 7 .Narrative Control You may have the numbers, but do you have the story?🥹🥹 Decisions are made based on stories people can believe in. 8. Loyalty & Trust Boardroom influence is built outside the boardroom. Over coffee, in quiet crises, through shared wins. Relationships matter. 9. Change Resistance Is Political, Not Logical Silence, delays, and vague pushback? That’s not confusion it’s calculated resistance. Learn to see it for what it is. Politics doesn’t mean playing dirty. It means playing smart with integrity. It took me a while to embrace that. But once I did, everything changed: My ideas got traction. My confidence grew. And I finally understood how to lead not just with intention but with influence. To any leader especially women—feeling stuck at the table: You don’t need to change who you are. But you do need to understand the game you’re playing. If you are not navigating the politics the politics is navigating you . Winfield Strategy & Innovation #Leadership #OrganizationalPolitics #WomenInLeadership #ExecutivePresence #PowerAndInfluence #strategy

I was a target of office politics 😣 And it wasn't pretty. I would dread to go to work 😨 I never felt comfortable sharing my ideas/opinions 🤔 I left without being able to contribute as much as I would have liked 😤 If you too are facing something similar, here are some practical tips I wish someone would have given me: ✅ Stay Neutral: Avoid taking sides in office conflicts. Stay neutral to maintain trust and credibility. ✅ Build Relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues across all levels. Networking is key! ✅ Communicate Clearly: Be transparent and open in your communication. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. ✅ Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, focus on finding solutions. Positivity goes a long way! ✅ Stay Professional: Keep emotions in check and maintain professionalism at all times. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment. ✅ Seek Allies: Identify allies who can support you in navigating office politics. Strength in numbers! ✅ Document Everything: Keep records of important conversations and decisions. Documentation can protect you in case of disputes. ✅ Stay Informed: Stay updated on organizational changes and developments. Knowledge is power! ✅ Be Adaptable: Be flexible and adaptable to changing dynamics. Embrace change rather than resist it. ✅ Know When to Walk Away: Sometimes, it's best to walk away from toxic situations. Your mental health should always come first. Have you ever faced annoying office colleagues who come to work only to make your life miserable? #OfficePolitics #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

Workplace politics isn't just real, it's the invisible operating system running beneath every decision, promotion, and project allocation. Yet we pretend it doesn't exist, calling it "soft skills" or "organizational awareness" to make it sound less threatening. My mentee didn't fail because of incompetence. He failed because he thought excellence alone would protect him. When my mentee, a brilliant C-suite executive approached me, he was bewildered. Despite delivering exceptional results, he found himself increasingly isolated, his initiatives quietly undermined, his influence diminishing. Why? He had committed the cardinal sin: ignoring the political landscape. What I taught him: ▫️ Power doesn't flow through organizational charts but it flows through relationships and perception ▫️ Being right means nothing if you haven't built the coalition to support your vision ▫️ Those who dismiss office politics as "games" are usually its first casualties ▫️ The most successful leaders aren't the ones avoiding politics, they're the ones mastering it ethically After six months of intensive coaching, my mentee transformed his approach.  Instead of fighting the current, he learned to navigate it. Today, he's not just surviving but thriving, with greater influence and impact than ever before. The harsh truth? Technical excellence is just your entry ticket. Political savvy is what determines whether you get a seat at the table. When did you realize workplace politics was a skill, not a distraction? And what did it cost you to learn that lesson? #WorkplacePolitics #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #CareerStrategy

I was Wrong about Influence. Early in my career, I believed influence in a decision-making meeting was the direct outcome of a strong artifact presented and the ensuing discussion. However, with more leadership experience, I have come to realize that while these are important, there is something far more important at play. Influence, for a given decision, largely happens outside of and before decision-making meetings. Here's my 3 step approach you can follow to maximize your influence: (#3 is often missed yet most important) 1. Obsess over Knowing your Audience Why: Understanding your audience in-depth allows you to tailor your communication, approach and positioning. How: ↳ Research their backgrounds, how they think, what their goals are etc. ↳ Attend other meetings where they are present to learn about their priorities, how they think and what questions they ask. Take note of the topics that energize them or cause concern. ↳ Engage with others who frequently interact with them to gain additional insights. Ask about their preferences, hot buttons, and any subtle cues that could be useful in understanding their perspective. 2. Tailor your Communication Why: This ensures that your message is not just heard but also understood and valued. How: ↳ Seek inspiration from existing artifacts and pickup queues on terminologies, context and background on the give topic. ↳ Reflect on their goals and priorities, and integrate these elements into your communication. For instance, if they prioritize efficiency, highlight how your proposal enhances productivity. ↳Ask yourself "So what?" or "Why should they care" as a litmus test for relatability of your proposal. 3. Pre-socialize for support Why: It allows you to refine your approach, address potential objections, and build a coalition of support (ahead of and during the meeting). How: ↳ Schedule informal discussions or small group meetings with key stakeholders or their team members to discuss your idea(s). A casual coffee or a brief virtual call can be effective. Lead with curiosity vs. an intent to respond. ↳ Ask targeted questions to gather feedback and gauge reactions to your ideas. Examples: What are your initial thoughts on this draft proposal? What challenges do you foresee with this approach? How does this align with our current priorities? ↳ Acknowledge, incorporate and highlight the insights from these pre-meetings into the main meeting, treating them as an integral part of the decision-making process. What would you add? PS: BONUS - Following these steps also expands your understanding of the business and your internal network - both of which make you more effective. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Navigating workplace politics can be challenging, but there are strategies for avoiding entanglements and maintaining a neutral stance. Here are some practical tips to maintain peace and support your development as a neutral and impartial leader. 1. Focus on Your Work Prioritize Productivity: Concentrate on your tasks and responsibilities. High performance can speak louder than political manoeuvring. Set Clear Goals: Keep your professional goals in mind, and let them guide your actions and decisions. 2. Maintain Professionalism Stay Objective: Make decisions based on facts and data rather than personal opinions or alliances. Avoid Gossip: Refrain from engaging in or spreading workplace gossip. It's a primary source of political tension. Be Fair and Consistent: Treat all colleagues with the same level of respect and fairness, regardless of their position or personal feelings toward them. 3. Build Positive Relationships Network Broadly: Build relationships across different departments and levels within the organization. This reduces the appearance of favouritism and broadens your support network. Show Respect: Respect diverse perspectives and avoid taking sides in conflicts or disputes. Communicate Clearly: Be clear and transparent in your communications to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations. 4. Develop Emotional Intelligence Stay Calm. Control your emotions, especially in tense situations. This will help you remain neutral and rational. Listen Actively: Pay attention to others' viewpoints without immediately reacting. This demonstrates respect and can de-escalate potential conflicts. Empathy: Understand the emotions and motivations of others, which can help you navigate political situations with sensitivity. 5. Focus on Solutions Be Solution-Oriented: When conflicts arise, focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame. This approach can help diffuse political tension. Collaborate: Encourage teamwork and collaboration to achieve common goals. This helps shift the focus from individual agendas to collective success. 6. Know When to Step Back Choose Your Battles: Not every issue is worth your time or energy. Focus on what matters most to your role and the organization's goals. Seek Guidance: If you're unsure how to handle a politically charged situation, seek advice from a trusted mentor or HR professional. 7. Protect Your Integrity Stand by Your Principles: Uphold your values and ethical standards, even if it means distancing yourself from certain situations or individuals. Be Transparent: Honesty and transparency in your actions and communications help build trust and minimize misunderstandings. #corporate #behaviours #politics #teams #oneteam #supportive