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The make-or-break game of office politics

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By BOB WEINSTEIN, Special Sections correspondent

Published: September 30, 2007

For most people, the concept of 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. So say Louellen Essex and Mitchell Kusy. Essex is an organization learning and development consultant and a professor at the University of Minnesota. Kusy is a professor in Antioch University's doctorate program in leadership. Essex and Kusy also are co-authors of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."

Office politics are not about popularity — they're about power. In every office, there are organizational leaders — supervisors, managers and senior-level executives. There also are employee-assigned power brokers. These are people who co-workers follow and look up to because of their skill in leading, mediating and influencing others. These are the company's potential movers and shakers.
Greek philosopher Aristotle said that "Man is by nature a political animal." Author George Orwell ("1984") said, "In our age, there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' " The futuristic author also said, "All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia."

Orwell's definition of politics, however, is far removed from organizational politics. Yet office politics are real and can make or break you if you don't respect their awesome power. Getting to know who these informal power brokers are in your company — and becoming one yourself — is more important than ever. It's because organizations have placed more value on individual leadership and power sharing.

Taking the time to play the politics game well will pay off. Decision-makers will begin to notice you, and you'll start to attract more support and recognition for your work. By understanding alliances, you will be able to navigate through them more easily. Having the respect of power holders has tangible benefits as well, such as helping you get promoted.

Here are eight tips from Essex and Kusy that will help you play the office politics game the right way.

1. Identify the power brokers. Knowing who the power brokers are will give you insight into the complex labyrinth of relationships at work — and how you can navigate through them.

2. Adjust your work style. How do people at your organization measure success? Which is rewarded: risk taking or deliberate, well-planned methods? The better your working style jibes with the senior power brokers, the more influential you will become among your peers.

3. Become an expert. Try to gain expert power by having valuable knowledge others don't have. Established credibility will serve you well, especially in times of political upheaval.

4. Recognize but do not abuse 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 (withholding assignments and opportunities, and even firing them), you have power. Use it wisely.

5. Be a connector. Develop a strong network of relationships that allows you to get things done quickly and thoroughly and that also gives you access to exclusive information.

6. Be respected. Called "referent power," this type of power comes when you are liked and respected and you have a reputation as a leader with whom people want to work. Give respect and you will be respected back.

7. 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.

8. Don't ignore your blockers. People make the mistake of ignoring their enemies. Instead, focus on working with and listening to your opponents. If you can win them over, your former enemies will become your staunchest allies. If you can't, you will at least increase your knowledge of the other party's view.

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