Every office has politics, but how do we navigate through it?
Workplace politics are more common than a watercooler in an office at this point. And while it may be cumbersome to navigate through it, it makes sense why it exists. There’s an uneven power structure, there are opportunities, and then, there are interpersonal relationships. It’s the recipe for an exemplary disaster. And yet, it doesn't have to be.
The most helpful mindset to have in this situation is two-fold. One, be authentic. Being true to yourself can be very helpful in emotionally tricky situations. And the other is to assume positive intent on everybody’s part. “If you assume positive intent and try to understand, you will come to quick resolutions and have a win-win situation,” HR professional Rohini Shankar says.
Another way to navigate through most office politics is to create an environment of inclusion. That can include not bad mouthing your colleagues, connecting with people without an agenda, and even simply being empathic.
Lastly, take responsibility. How we behave reflects not only who we are, but our organisation too. Office politics can hurt people’s careers in very damaging ways and what might seem like an offhand comment can be anything but.
With power dynamics and people from various backgrounds, politics in office can seem hard to navigate, but with a little bit of conscious effort, it can be taken care of.