You must learn to play politics
Especially if you harbor good intentions
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“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
– Pericles
Many fantasize about a workplace that is free from politics. A place where ideas win on merit and rewards are earned based on impact.
Sounds nice. Unfortunately, like other utopian dreams about work, it fails to account for the realities of human nature. As long primates are calling the shots at work, politics will persist.
Sure, it can be a dirty game. But what's the cost of sitting out? When good people avoid politics, they let sociopathic power-grabbers fill the void.
Don't want to be ruled by these types? Then it’s time to get smart about playing the game.
How to play politics
Politics boils down to influence. Winning demands strategy and focus. Here's a quick primer:
Align Objectives – The good players and the rest differ in their goals. Are you out for yourself, or aligned with the organization? If it's the latter, you owe it to yourself and others to act.
Know the Players – Who holds sway over the outcomes you want to achieve? The CEO? The board? Figure out who you need to influence before you make your move.
Understand Their Angles – If the decision makers aren't on your side, you're up for a fight. Knowing their motives helps you persuade them.
Map Your Influence – What is the right message to send? Who should deliver it? What kind of evidence or narrative will they need? Plan carefully.
Spot Your Rivals - Every action has a reaction. If you can't spot your opponents’ moves, they’ve probably got one up on you.
To go deeper on this topic, check out Robert Greene’s books like:
Don’t lose yourself in the game
“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Navigating politics is a balancing act. On one side, you have the goals you want to achieve for the greater good. On the other, you have your personal values, the ethical lines you shouldn't cross. Balance is key. Before you step on the tightrope, know your non-negotiables. Will you play dirty if the end justifies the means? Or do you have a firm line you won't cross, no matter the reward?
It's easy to get caught up in the game. The thrill of a win, the fear of a loss—these can blur your moral compass. That's why setting your ethical boundaries early is crucial. Stick to them, even when the game heats up and the stakes rise.
In Conclusion
Organizations will always have politics. Learn the game, but don’t lose your integrity. Politics can be a tool for good, but it can also turn you into something you're not. Play smart, play wisely, and remember that the ultimate goal is not just to win, but to do so while keeping your integrity intact.
Personal Updates
Family Life
September was a fun month. Our two-year-old started preschool and, our three-month-old started smiling and laughing (which is gratifying after all the work that’s gone into keeping her alive).
Professional Life
Lots of exciting new things at Exec. New clients. New coaches. More programs and lots of product updates are in the works.
If you’d like to follow along, you can subscribe to our new monthly newsletter, Messy People Problems about the human capital challenges that prevent companies from reaching their potential.
I’ll be publishing that on a monthly basis (in addition to the Jungle Gym). If you know any folks who are interested in the talent development space, please feel free to share it with them!
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Until next time,
“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
The myth of Theseus, The Minotaur and Ariadne brings this home, for me. It was not enough that Theseus killed the monster. He also made it back out of the Labyrinth by (a) remembering where he came from (by way of the cord) and (b) who he would join (Ariadne), thus, the two of them together meant another generation would follow
Set-up:
1) The Minotaur was the result of man (King Minos) and woman (Pasiphae) arrogating status and relations beyond human bounds;
2) The horror of the feeding of the youth of Athens to the Minotaur was in recrimination that Aegeus forgot the rules of (a) fair competition and (b) the treatment of guests;
3a) It fell to the next generation, Theseus (son of Aegeus) and Ariadne (daughter of King Minos and Pasiphae) to solve the problem;
3b) It fell to the children of sworn enemies to solve the problem;
3c) It fell to the cooperation of the masculine and the feminine strengths, principles and processes to solve the problem;
3d) Solving the problem requires memory - that’s what Ariadne’s cord represents.
Don’t let the fervor of war make you forget who you are, whose you are, and why you are fighting in the first place.
Memory: never forget that, as in 1) and 2), that humans will continually exceed their bounds and will break rules of fair play and hospitality. Be optimistic but realistic about life in the polis (community), i.e., political life
I couldn't agree more with this post. Navigating office politics can indeed be a tricky tightrope walk. As a team leader, my fear has always been that the proliferation of politics can harm the team's cohesion and effectiveness.
It's crucial to establish clear ethical boundaries and stick to them, no matter the temptations or pressures. While it's essential to understand the game, it's even more critical to preserve one's integrity.
Ultimately, our goal should be to achieve success while upholding our values and principles. This post serves as a valuable reminder of that balance.