Office Politics: Does It Really Exist?
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Office Politics
Does It Really Exist?
By: Carolyn A. Patterson-Kemper, CMP, DES, Principal/Copywriter – CPK Writers; Copy Editor, Marketing & Publications Committee; Co-Chair, MPI Potomac Chapter Leadership Committee
MPI Potomac Leadership Committee
One of the biggest mistakes that new managers can make is not engaging in "office politics.” Understand that your work alone will not get you promoted. Your ‘good work” is not enough!
Every organization has some complex system of influence that requires employees to have political savviness and skill to navigate for positive impact and work effectiveness. This skill could help to increase power, sell ideas, or advance a career. These skills require social intelligence that is a blind spot for many emerging leaders who are inclined to concentrate on performance or developing technical and management skills instead. Recognizing the need to develop and utilize these competencies in the office environment could potentially make or break your career. Therefore, career success and advancement require engaging in office politics.
Whether you’ve just started a new job or working towards a promotion at your current employer, pay attention to the factors that create political dynamics and understand how to use them powerfully.
Employees should consider three key organizational areas:
1. The unwritten rules of the organization
2. The culture of the company
3. Those people who have power and influence over your career
It’s essential to build three strategic networks of stakeholders, allies, and advocates who will support your initiatives and advancement:
1. Operational – You need a set of people to help you get your job done on a daily basis. Consciously create relationships with them which has nothing to do with ‘personal chemistry.”
2. Strategic – These people can help you keep track of what is going on, scan the environment for opportunities that may be available for you to capitalize on, and aid you in identifying risks to prepare for.
3. Developmental – Establish a network of people to help you grow and develop professionally.
Before building genuine, heterogeneous connections:
1. First, determine where you’re trying to go. Understand the plan for the team as well as your individual needs.
2. Then, create those opportunities to build those relationships, i.e., accept an ask to be on a task force, participate in and contribute to a committee, take the initiative to suggest a new project, etc. It can help you navigate other teams which is vital to get to know others outside of your department.
3. And, finally, learn how your department/team fits into the overall business goals of your organization.
2. Then, create those opportunities to build those relationships, i.e., accept an ask to be on a task force, participate in and contribute to a committee, take the initiative to suggest a new project, etc. It can help you navigate other teams which is vital to get to know others outside of your department.
3. And, finally, learn how your department/team fits into the overall business goals of your organization.
We can no longer assume that doing our best job is enough. There is no way around office politics and ignoring them could be detrimental to your success and career. Building trustworthy, strategic relationships, realizing that every colleague brings something of value to the table, and learning how to steer these complex rules and systems are the keys to effectively navigating office politics.
Have a Leadership story to share or want to get involved? Contact:
Leila Beltramo, MPI Potomac Board Director, Leadership and DE&I: lbeltramo@visitmontgomery.com Carolyn A. Patterson-Kemper, MPI Potomac Leadership Committee Co-Chair: carolyn@cpkwriters.com
