Peak Performers by Tiffany Uman

How to navigate office politics

November 6, 2023

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My latest Peak Performers newsletter: How to lead teams effectively.

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My latest CareerTALKS Real Talk podcast episode with my co-host Orlando Haynes: Communicating Effectively Your Concerns and Ideas with Leadership.

Internal politics are inevitable.

It is unlikely that you will come across an organization void of them entirely.

Here is the thing. You cannot simply sit this one out. Rather, you must know how to navigate them with confidence as you continue to build your credibility and character.

The realm of office politics is a delicate ecosystem that demands finesse, strategic thinking, and a high level of emotional intelligence.

Furthermore, the nature itself of internal politics will also be indicative of the organizational culture you are part of.

For instance, are the politics serving as a direct deterrent to transparency, openness and respect of one another?
Are they creating communication challenges amongst teams and levels of hierarchy?
Are they forging unnecessary silos and alienation across departments?
Are they enabling toxic behaviours that lead to poor management of teams?

The ability to master internal politics without compromising your integrity is an art that distinguishes peak performers from the rest.

Successful navigation often involves a keen understanding of the organizational dynamics, a careful approach to conflict resolution, and a commitment to transparent communication.

By actively engaging in the workplace with integrity, empathy, and a solution-oriented mindset, you can effectively maneuver through workplace politics while fostering a positive and conducive environment to growth and collaboration.

Here's how.

Do not miss the signs.

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind at work and lose sight of what is really going on around you. Keeping your head down will do you a major disservice when navigating workplace politics. Rather, staying alert and cognizant of your surroundings, relationships and conversations are important to stay one step ahead.

With that in mind, here are 5 signs that workplace politics may be getting the best of you:

→ Lack of authenticity: One of the primary pitfalls that individuals often succumb to is the temptation to mold themselves into a version that aligns with the political climate of the organization, instead of being their true selves. This often leads to a dilution of authenticity and transparency, eroding trust and credibility over time. This unsustainable strategy will constantly feel like you have to show up differently in the workplace compared to your personal life.

→ Over-reliance on alliances and networking: While forming strategic relationships and nurturing internal networks are essential, an over-reliance on these tactics can result in a perception of opportunism and insincerity. Genuine connections can be overshadowed by the perception of self-serving motivations, leading to a loss of trust with others. Make sure you are building win-win relationships where they do not feel one-sided.

→ Engagement in gossip and rumour mill: Succumbing to the allure of office gossip and partaking in the propagation of rumours can have detrimental effects on your professional reputation. Involvement in such activities not only undermines your integrity but also diminishes your credibility and trustworthiness within the company. Instead, remove yourself from this situation altogether or shut down the conversation with something like "I prefer not to engage in this conversation" or "I do not feel comfortable contributing to this conversation".

→ Avoidance of conflict and difficult conversations: With most people being risk averse, it is not uncommon to run the other direction when faced with a work conflict. That said, this is rarely the answer as it only creates further tension and leads to unresolved issues simmering beneath the surface. Failing to address conflicts directly can lead to a toxic work environment and an erosion of team cohesion over time. Peak performers do not shy away from this, but rather, face it head on.

→ Personal gain: Prioritizing short-term personal gain over long-term organizational success can lead to a perception of self-centeredness. Focusing solely on personal advancement without considering the broader impact on the team and the company can have negative consequences and hurt your credibility in the long run. Rather, working towards mutually beneficial outcomes will allow you to get more buy-in and support from those you work with, alleviating the impact of workplace politics on you.

3 strategies to rise above office politics

1/ Cultivate authentic and transparent communication

A big part of working through workplace politics is to become a valued, trusted and respected resource for others.

Fostering an environment where everyone's voice is heard will enable them to feel empowered to express their viewpoints without fear of retribution or judgment. This can be achieved by actively practicing active listening, acknowledging differing perspectives, and encouraging a culture of mutual respect and understanding.

Transparent communication also involves sharing pertinent information openly, even when it may be uncomfortable or challenging, to promote a sense of trust and openness amongst colleagues. By consistently demonstrating honesty and integrity across all interactions, you will build a foundation of authenticity that serves as a pillar for effective communication. You will lead by example instead of going against your moral compass.

Is this scary? It can be.

But it is necessary to hold your ground and ensure that you are not forcing yourself to be someone you are not.

Furthermore, cultivating authentic and transparent communication requires a conscious effort to build genuine connections based on mutual respect. This involves actively seeking opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level interactions, allowing for a deeper understanding of colleagues' motivations, concerns, and aspirations.

The more you understand what makes others tick and what fuels their motivations and goals, the better you can communicate with them in a way that sticks.

2/ Build mutually beneficial relationships

Building mutually beneficial relationships can serve as a powerful antidote to the challenges arising from internal work politics.

Prioritize genuine connections based on shared values and common goals. By actively seeking to understand the perspectives and needs of colleagues, you can foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that transcends the competitive nature of office politics.

This approach involves offering support and assistance without expecting immediate returns, enabling a culture of reciprocity and collective success.

By emphasizing the mutual benefits of collaboration and teamwork (ie. the "what's in it for them"), you allow others to feel particularly valued, appreciated and supported, leading to a more cohesive and resilient team dynamic that can withstand the pressures of office politics.

Pro tip: If you are lacking the needed support within your direct team or with your immediate boss, identify other internal allies who can support you and remove the ambiguity you may be facing due to workplace politics. That said, do not use these moments as venting sessions to complain about others. You never know who this may get back to and you do not want to add more fuel to the fire. Always be respectful and thoughtful in how you build these relationships as you want them to stand the test of time.

Furthermore, proactively seek opportunities to uplift and empower people within the company. By advocating for the success of colleagues and supporting their professional growth, you will infuse a culture of trust and positivity that transcends the divisive nature of office politics.

This can be achieved through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and providing constructive feedback that facilitates personal and professional development.

By nurturing a collaborative and supportive work environment, peak performers build a network of trusted allies who are invested in each other's success, thereby creating a robust support system that helps overcome the challenges posed by workplace politics.

3/ Address conflicts proactively and constructively

Conflict and office politics often go hand in hand. It is hard to avoid completely.

Whether stemming from miscommunications, toxicity, or inappropriate behaviours, you must be prepared to persevere. Avoiding the situation or hoping it will simply go away is not ideal.

As you grow in seniority, so too will you face more challenges and workplace politics; you need to build the muscle of addressing conflict with confidence.

Here are 3 key steps to help you in this regard:

→ Approach conflicts with a solution-oriented mindset, seeking to resolve issues through open and respectful dialogue. Help show that you are both working towards the same goal and that there is a benefit to them in supporting you.

→ Practice empathy when navigating challenging conversations, prioritizing the preservation of relationships and mutual respect. Do not lead with "I" statements that will lead to immediate defensiveness on their part. You will have already lost.

→ Implement regular check-ins and feedback sessions to address potential conflicts before they escalate, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration. This is particularly important if you see the same conflict happening with the same person.

More often than not, workplace conflicts can be resolved with effective communication and empathy-led relationships. It is certainly worth focusing on what you can control to improve your situation in favour of your development goals.

That said, there may be moments when the nature of the conflict and who is involved goes completely against your value system. This is where you need to ask yourself if this is an organization you want to grow with or perhaps try somewhere new.

Check out my recent newsletter on "Is it time to leave your job?" to help you further navigate this important career decision.

How will you rise above internal politics?

The ability to navigate internal politics with integrity and grace is a hallmark of true leadership and professional excellence. Cultivating authenticity, nurturing genuine relationships, and addressing conflicts constructively will allow you to establish yourself as a trusted and respected figure within your company.

Remember, it is not just about achieving success, but also fostering a culture of collaboration, positive relationships and leading by example that drives sustainable growth and excellence within the workplace.

You've got this!

This week's mission is designed to help you navigate internal politics with confidence. Dedicate uninterrupted time to answering the questions below and leverage these reflections to influence your day-to-day actions and longer-term strategies.

1/ Identify the source of your workplace politics:

Is it stemming from certain individuals/teams/stakeholders?
Choose 1 key action step to cultivate authentic and transparent communication that will improve your situation and evaluate the progression over the next 2 weeks.

2/ Note down the key aspects of your value system:

What values are most important for you to have respected at work?
Are any of these being compromised due to internal politics?
Leverage the best practices shared in today's newsletter to address this head on.

3/ Determine your internal allies:

If you already have a relationship built with them, identify how you want to leverage this for win-win outcomes when dealing with internal politics.
If you do not already have a 1:1 relationship built, initiate this connection so they can further remove ambiguity and guesswork when faced with workplace politics.

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