Understanding office politics

To start, it’s important to develop an understanding of the nature of office politics. While each company has its own environment and dynamics, office politics typically follow the same structure.

In most cases, a drive for power is what prompts political tension in the first place. A desire for greater influence may cause some to push against the boundaries of their responsibilities, encroaching into others’ territory.

The search for more power or autonomy often causes tension among other team members. This creates division as individuals may choose sides and engage in disagreements.This can lead to favoritism, rumors and gossip, and other negative impacts on team morale and company culture.

If left unchecked, office politics can lead to increased tension and communication breakdowns that can decrease the company’s productivity overall. Luckily, there are some things you can do to protect your team from the effects of office politics.

Strategies for navigating business politics

There are countless ways to deal with touchy office politics, but each situation will require a unique approach. Here are 11 strategies that may help you guide your team through tense times.

1. Be empathetic but firm

When it comes to office politics, everyone often feels that their perspective is the right one. As a leader, the last thing you want is to make some of your employees feel as though you’ve decided not to take their side.

To avoid this, it’s important to approach every interaction from a place of grounded empathy. Remain firm in your convictions. Resist the urge to participate in gossip or speculation, but keep yourself open as someone to turn to for help.

2. Stay authentic

Employees can tell when you aren’t being true to yourself as a leader, and genuine authenticity can give you an air of authority. During points of tension, avoid saying anything you don’t really mean.

Before taking action or making comments on office politics, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the situation. Office conflicts can be complex, and staying authentic can show your employees they can count on you.

3. Listen actively

Sometimes, what an employee wants more than anything is to be heard. When a team member turns to you in confidence, help them feel heard by practicing active listening. This means speaking back what you heard and asking for clarification when you need it. Additionally, listening actively can give you a better grasp of the situation, helping you determine the best course of action.

4. Ask questions

Those seeking influence in the workplace will likely turn to leadership for support at times. However, it’s important that you resist the urge to share your opinion, whether it’s solicited or not.

Instead of getting involved in the drama, seek to understand. During discussions, ask questions to facilitate more proactive actions. Simply asking “Have you shared your concerns with this individual?” could prompt better communication and keep you neutral at the same time.

5. Don’t assume the worst

When you’re surrounded by conflict and drama, it can be hard to stay impartial. But no matter what you hear about a team member, don’t assume their intentions are negative. Instead, give them the benefit of the doubt. Bringing this positivity to each discussion can help preserve relationships and may lead to quicker conflict resolution.

6. Take on a service mindset

As a leader, part of your job is to guide your team members through inevitable conflicts. During tense periods, adopting a service mindset can help you take on a more constructive perspective. Try to avoid judgment and position yourself as someone who can be confided in when necessary. Encourage others to follow your lead, and they may be able to put office politics behind them completely.

7. Develop a buddy system

For new hires, entering an environment filled with political tension can be overwhelming. A buddy system can help ease them into things. Pair each new hire with a dependable team member who can act as a neutral mentor. That way, they won’t be caught up in office politics before they have even settled into their new role.

While gossip is never constructive, tense political environments often require an explanation. Make sure each new hire understands the situation without feeling pressured to participate in destructive behavior.

8. Cultivate good relationships

Office politics can create divides between even the closest coworkers. As the leader, you may be able to mitigate the fallout by encouraging your team to lean on one another. Whether it’s by facilitating collaborations or mediating group discussions, prompting positive interactions can prevent some of the worst effects of office politics.

9. Stay neutral

While it’s important to stay on good terms with all members of your team, your ultimate goal as a leader is to stay neutral. Doing so will prevent you from alienating one group of employees while enabling negative behavior in others. Plus, it can give you more influence when it comes to de-escalating conflict and maintains your status as a figure who can be turned to.

10. Promote inclusivity and collaboration

Promoting inclusivity can go a long way when it comes to office political battles. To avoid cutting anyone out, focus on collaboration among team members. This can be done by sharing your ideas and encouraging all individuals to share their opinions during group discussions. Try to involve as many team members as possible where you can to rebuild a sense of teamwork.

11. Leave the agenda behind

Following an agenda is an easy way to lose your credibility as an impartial leader. Instead, make an effort to avoid aligning yourself with one side or the other. Above all else, attempt to treat each member of your team with respect, despite the opinions they may hold publicly. Stay positive in your interactions, and resist showing favoritism that could come across as allegiance to some individuals over others.

FAQs about office politics

Is it possible to break free from office politics?

When tensions are high and you struggle to stay neutral, it can seem like there’s no overcoming the drama of office politics. But luckily, most situations can be sorted out eventually. To keep yourself above the conflict, focus on staying positive and bringing team members together when you can. Assuming a confident position of leadership may cause others to follow your lead.

When should you take action against business politics?

Staying impartial is a key strategy when it comes to office politics, but there are times when staying out of things does more harm than good. If you suspect that current conflicts go deeper than typical office power grabs, it’s important to get involved for the sake of your employees. Avoid casting blame and making accusations, but don’t resist the urge to trust your intuition.