Office politics is not about popularity — it's about power. In every office, there are institutionalized leaders — supervisors, managers, senior-level executives, and the like. And then there are the employee-assigned power holders. These are people who, because of their skill in mediating, influencing others, and taking a leadership role, are the employees whom co-workers follow and look up to. These are the movers and shakers, the people who can help an initiative go through — or block it.
Getting to know who these informal power holders are in your company — and becoming one yourself — is more important than ever as businesses put more value on individual leadership and power sharing. Taking the time to play the politics game well will pay off as managers and coworkers begin to notice you, and you start to attract more support and recognition for your work. As you become more familiar with the power dynamics in the workplace, you'll also begin to see what makes your organization tick, which makes you even more valuable.
By understanding alliances, you will be able to navigate through them more easily. This skill will also pay off when the time comes for a team effort, say, on a new initiative that won't work unless you can win supporters and fend off resisters.
Having the respect of power holders has tangible benefits as well, such as helping you get promoted.
For many people, office politics has a negative connotation. What they don't realize is that there's a right way to play the office politics game and win. Here are some tips:
- Identify the power holders. Who in your organization do others look up to, and why? Knowing who the power brokers are will give you insight into the complex web of relationships at work — and how you can navigate through them.
- Tailor your work style. How do people at your organization measure success? Which is rewarded: risk taking or deliberate, well-planned methods? Do decisions come down from above, or is a collaborative approach to problem solving encouraged? The better your working style jibes with others' preferred style, the more influential you will become among your peers.
- Be an expert. Be someone with valuable knowledge not available elsewhere, and you will gain expert power. Established credibility will serve you well, especially in times of political upheaval.
- Be a rewarder. Grant others things they want, such as recognition, promotions, or opportunities for involvement. If you are not currently in a formal position of power, find small ways to assist or support coworkers.
- Don't abuse, but do recognize, your coercive power. Although you don't want to abuse this type of power, it's a fact of life that people in managerial positions have both reward and coercive capabilities. When you can take away from others the things they value (e.g., by reprimanding, firing, or withholding assignments and opportunities), you have power. Use it wisely.
- Be a connector. Develop a strong network of relationships that allows you to get things done readily and, through the informal communication hub in your organization, gives you access to information that is not passed through formal channels.
- Be respected. Called "referent power," this type of power comes when you are liked, respected, and have a reputation as a leader with whom people want to work. Give respect and you will be respected back.
- Don't align too strongly with one faction. If you do, you will alienate other factions, which could work against you if there is political upheaval.
- Don't ignore your blockers. People make the mistake of ignoring their enemies and sidling up to their allies in times of upheaval. Instead, focus on working with and listening to your opponent. If you can win him or her over, your former enemy will become one of your staunchest allies. If you can't, you will at least increase your knowledge of the other party's view.
Dr. Louellen Essex and Dr. Mitchell Kusy are esteemed professors, leadership and organization development consultants, and co-authors of a new book, Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night (Davies-Black, 2007).