Navigating Office Politics: How to Play the Game & Why You Should

When you hear the words “office politics,” what do you think of? Many people think of maneuvering, manipulation, and power plays—backstabbing, gossip, and favoritism. It’s no surprise that most people hate the idea! 

I get it. But I want to challenge that perception.  

At its core, office politics is simply about relationships—understanding and leveraging influence and informal power dynamics. Avoiding it doesn’t make you some enlightened being. In fact, it may be slowing your career growth. 

Learning how to play the political game gives you visibility and access to opportunities you might not otherwise have. It doesn’t have to make you feel slimy. With the right mindset and approach, you can navigate office politics with integrity and authenticity. Here are some tips to help you.   

Be Likeable  

As simple as it sounds, a big part of successful “politicking” comes down to being a likeable, easy person to work with. While we all want to believe that business isn’t personal, that’s just not true. Everything is personal to some degree. Everyone wants to work with people they enjoy being around. 

Whether someone is making a purchase decision or deciding who to promote or hire or invite to join a special project, they simply can’t help but consider the person and their feelings about them. Sure, skills matter too—but personal impressions often influence how we judge competence. Studies show that, when we like someone, we unconsciously value their performance more. When we don’t like them, we discount their work and contributions. It’s not necessarily logical or fair, but it’s how the brain operates. Rather than fight it, why not make it work for you?  

Practice Reciprocity  

The workplace operates on the (often unspoken) rule of reciprocity. This means that people want to “keep things even.” When someone does us a favor, we naturally feel inclined to repay the debt. 

Of course, we don’t want to do nice things for others for the sole purpose of creating an invisible debt they have to repay. But it’s worthwhile keeping this concept in mind as you go about your day. By jumping in and offering to help others when you can, you create a sense of mutual trust and respect—and people notice! It makes them more inclined to help you when it’s needed. 

At the same time, strive to repay favors of others. When things are uneven, a relationship can start to feel out of balance. If it gets too far out of whack, people feel taken advantage of. 

No one wants to keep a mental scorecard of credits and debits—and that’s not the point. This is more about maintaining a healthy flow of give and take. When reciprocity is genuine and balanced, it builds goodwill and strengthens our connections.  

Pay Attention  

A powerful but often overlooked tool in navigating office politics is simply paying attention. That means noticing the people around you—not just the jobs they do, but how they do them, what they care about, and who they are beyond their title.

Every person in your workplace has preferences, habits, communication styles, and values. When you take the time to observe and understand these nuances, you build stronger, deeper relationships. Look at your colleagues as interesting fellow human beings, not just coworkers or (worse) obstacles in your way. 

Paying attention also means being attuned to your organizational culture and norms—how people interact, how decisions are made, how risks are handled, and how recognition is given. Aligning your behavior with these expectations allows you operate more smoothly within the system. Ignoring them—intentionally or not—can make you seem out of step, even if your work is otherwise strong.

Finally, pay attention to power dynamics and how things happen behind the scenes. Who’s influencing decisions? What’s driving the priorities? Try to understand the why behind the what. When you can spot the patterns and strategic motivations inside your organization, you’re better equipped to position your ideas, anticipate shifts, and contribute more strategically. 

Being politically savvy is all about observation, understanding, and thoughtful engagement with your colleagues. It may not be your favorite part of work—but it’s a reality you can’t ignore. When you choose to engage with awareness and integrity, you don’t just survive the political landscape—you gain influence, insight, and opportunity. It’s not about playing games. It’s about playing smart, staying grounded, and showing up with purpose in every interaction. 

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