As social beings, perhaps it is inevitable that the rise of capitalism is tied to the rise in office politics. Office politics can be viewed as social power within the office. Typically, it pertains to work-related matters and making changes that benefit active participants. Office politics has been demonized of late in film and other media. However, like most other things, it does not have to be a bad thing. It all depends on the wielder.

Thoughtful exploration reveals that human beings engage in informal influence in most aspects of their lives. From school to family, social games are a tool we deploy naturally. As such, we must wrap our heads around the notion that office politics is just social power. Thus, it can be used to improve lives en masse rather than simply improve our own.

The Modern Office

Something else we think is worth addressing before we dive in is the digitization of work. Many believe that working from home or in virtual work environments removes office politics entirely. Unfortunately, that is a misguided notion. A study conducted titled ‘Influence and Political Processes in Cyberspace: The Case of Global Virtual Teams’ revealed as early as 2006 that while it does reduce it somewhat, office politics remains in digitized workspaces too. Further, your own experiences in online schooling and remote working post-pandemic must confirm the same.

Now, if you’re despairing at the thought of the unavoidable onslaught of office politics in your professional future, don’t worry. There are ways to save your time and energy from it. How?

Mastering it

Mastering office politics will allow you to spend less time on office politics, and more on your work itself. Besides, it can lead to increased recognition in the workplace for you. Additionally, it yields strong, better work relationships, which drastically increases your happiness and productivity. Further, it enables you to better manage professional conflicts. Lastly, it improves your overall mental and emotional health.

Top 7 Expert Tips for Navigating Office Politics Effectively

These are some simple things you can put into effect today to improve your office life. We recommend brainstorming how you can implement them into your life as best you can. Also, try to make it an everyday practice for the best results.

• Cultivating Relationships

  Firstly, the key to navigating office politics in your everyday life is strong relationships. In other words, good networking skills. In MBA courses, you may touch upon the value of networking. Building good professional relationships is one of the best career moves anyone can make. Be approachable and kind to your coworkers and those you meet at work events. Be helpful, and build relationships of mutual trust and respect. Make sure to show your appreciation for their good work and reciprocal kindness.

• Comprehending the Flow of Power

  It is worth taking the time to understand the politics and power dynamics in your office. It is especially smart to pay close attention to the same when you’re a new employee. Identify who holds what power in your projects, and within the organization itself. Take the time to learn what they want for the business. If you share any of their visions for the future, align yourself with them and take care to support them as much as you can. They will be a valuable learning tool and a powerful ally.

• Learn from the Best

  In line with building good work relationships, try and seek mentorship where you can. Approach seasoned professionals. They can support you with knowledge and valuable insight. Additionally, they can help you on your journey to navigate office politics.

• Conflict Management

  Apart from learning how office politics works, you must master your engagement within it. Conflict management is a large part of creating a fun, happy work environment for yourself and your employees. Once again, MBAs touch upon conflict management skills as an essential tool in the leadership arsenal. This is because it allows people to deal with minor issues before they become problems. Thus, it would be worth addressing issues before they become major problems. Further, when you have managed to de-escalate the situation, take the time to focus on finding solutions. Lastly, make sure you leave things on a positive note and have heard their side.

• Neutrality

  If there are concerns or conflicts between colleagues, stay neutral. It is not your place to become entangled in other people’s workplace drama. Besides, we firmly recommend not getting drawn into it or gossiping about it. This way, you can maintain good relationships with everyone involved. Office politics are a necessary part of work life, but you don’t have to play other people’s games.

• Communication, Communication, Communication

  Communication may be the single most important part of mastering office politics. From clearly stating your concerns without them escalating, to avoiding malicious gossip, communicating calmly and simply can be a powerful tool for success. Your communication must be respectful and clear. Besides, you must learn to listen effectively so your team is aware that you believe that their voice matters.

  Secondly, boundaries. Professional boundaries are vital to thriving in an organization. If you are part of a project with a team of staff by your side, boundaries are doubly important. Here, too, communication skills play a strong role. You can say no without being disrespectful. Learn to. Additionally, learn to prioritize your own tasks before helping others, and maintain a work-life balance. You are there to do your job, and that is the start and end of it.

• Intentions

  One last key point we have found helpful is assuming that everyone has good intentions. Besides, it is worth reframing your tasks through a positive lens. People tend to be more motivated to engage in tasks that they believe have a good impact on the business.