I had a job in my twenties as a marketing director for a civil engineering firm.  On the first day of my job, one of my two bosses (red flag number one) set up an all day conference for company management, including me, at an offsite clubhouse to discuss “marketing goals and objectives.”  To my dismay, upon arriving at the meeting, one of my two supervisors started attacking the other for undermining his leadership of the company marketing department.  The vitriol and bitterness was overwhelming; I got up and left after about ten minutes, vowing never to return to the company.  Of course, I ultimately did return (I had bills to pay, after all), but the conflict still constantly simmered below the surface until, a year later, I found another job and got the hell out of there.

I had unwittingly become a casualty of office politics.

Office politics exist in every company, from the small law firm to the publicly traded corporation, and navigating these choppy waters can require a variety of skills and strategies.  Even more importantly, dealing with office politics can be emotionally and mentally draining; while some firms are starting to directly address these issues, many do not (even though they may pay lip service to mental health as part of their HR initiatives).  If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression due to ongoing office drama, get some mental health support, whether through your workplace insurance or outside services. 

Assessing the Political Environment

Before you can effectively navigate your way through the sea of office politics, you need to observe and assess the environment you find yourself in. It can be difficult to assess the political environment of a company prior to accepting a job.  When you show up for work the first day, however, regardless of what role or tasks are assigned to you, your first order of business should be to carefully observe the dynamic of your legal department or law firm.  Formal hierarchies and org charts don’t tell the whole (or maybe even any of the) story.  I remember naively believing that the managing partner at my first law firm was at the top of the power elite.  In reality, no one wanted that job, so the firm gave it to one of the weaker partners who wasn’t as adept as others at business development.  The partner who had the most power and influence in the company was, of course, the best rainmaker, the lawyer with the biggest book of business.

It’s also important to acquaint yourself with staff, including paralegals, secretaries, word processors and the mail room.  If you’re in a corporate environment, get to know the executive assistants to the inhabitants of the C suite.  These are the gatekeepers and they hold a great deal of power and knowledge.  They usually know what’s really going on under the surface - who’s in, who’s out, and who to watch out for.

Tools for Navigating Office Politics

Once you have a handle on the office political environment, you still need to know how to be a part of it without getting dragged/cancelled/overlooked.  Total disengagement from office politics is generally not a viable option.  As one commentator has noted, “office politics are an inevitable part of organizational life, and unfortunately, we can’t just ‘sit them out’.”  While hard work and positive results for clients are important, they are not the whole story for surviving in the tumultuous waters of workplace politics.

Reframe Your View of Office Politics

Diana Stepner, a product leadership coach, notes that the term “office politics” often “conjures images of backstabbing colleagues and shady dealings…”  In reality, she says, “office politics is the art of human dynamics in the workplace. It’s about influence, relationships, and decision-making.”  She advises her clients to “think of office politics like a complex recipe or Peloton class.  You could refuse to participate, but you’d be sitting out while everyone else enjoys the eat or beat. Let curiosity guide you and add your own dash of authenticity.”

Seeing office politics as a positive aspect of your workplace environment, and a perfect opportunity to deploy your people skills, can help you overcome your detachment from (and distaste for) the personal relationships that can make or break your success and happiness at work.  But some caution is warranted, and restraint can be essential when dealing with the politics of work.

Stay Neutral or Positive Regardless of The Situation

In a survey of Forbes Human Resources Council administered in 2021, nearly half of the twelve members responding named calmness, neutrality, or positivity when asked about strategies for dealing with office politics.  In other words, it’s good to engage with your colleagues, even if they are stirring up internal conflict, just don’t exacerbate the issue.  “Take the high road,” advises Rohini Shankar, of CIOX Health.  “Assume positive intent, and have conversations to understand what’s going on so you have good working relationships.”  Tish McFadden, another member of the Council, advises neutrality.  For example, if a colleague is complaining about another team member, a good response is to suggest that they talk directly to the other team member to more directly and efficiently resolve their complaint.  Don’t fall in the trap of trying to “fix” the situation or opine on issues with which you’re not really familiar.

Build Your Brand as a Positive Contributor

Using office politics to your advantage involves more than just clear communication and a positive outlook.  Managing organizational relationships to your best advantage also requires building a strong personal brand.  You may be the best contracts negotiator in the world, but if no one is aware of your accomplishments, you are unlikely to grab the attention of the movers and shakers in your organization or in the industry. 

Stepner advises clients to build a reputation for competence and integrity. “A strong personal brand can protect you from negative political tactics and enhance your influence within (and outside) the organization,” she advises, and “network strategically …to build positive alliances with inspiring individuals in your field who share your values and goals” and can provide inspiration as well as access to professional opportunities.  “Strong professional relationships with key mentors and sponsors can provide support and guidance, and open doors for you that you can’t open on your own,” she notes.  Use online and in-person alliances through professional associations, LinkedIn, and informal social networks to maintain an active professional network by For example, understand that LinkedIn is not just for job searches and letting your network know your current position.  Share frequent updates, repost and comment on posts that reflect your accomplishments and interests, and seek endorsements and recommendations from key contacts.  These steps “help you showcase what you stand for in life and work which, in turn, will attract other, like-minded people to join your community and support your ultimate goals. And for every generous endorsement you receive, offer a wonderful endorsement to someone else who has made a positive impact on your life and work.”

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the best strategy for keeping your ship afloat in the ocean of office politics is to be proactive.  Assess your environment swiftly and establish relationships with the folks who are in the know on what’s going on in the organization.  Engage with these individuals, but don’t get dragged into office gossip or negativity.  Establish your brand as a hard working and effective professional and a socially adept, engaged co-worker or employee.  Network with individuals who are on the way up and who reflect your values and ethics.  Above all, recognize that you cannot simply ignore the politics of your workplace.  Instead, see your helmsmanship through the political ripples and waves of your organization as a key aspect of your job - one that can have a positive effect on your professional life if you develop strategies to stay afloat.

As a veteran of thirty years of legal practice, Melanie Houk welcomes the opportunity to look back on a career nearer to completion than commencement. A graduate of Loyola Law School, Melanie initially took a nontraditional direction, leaving a first-year position at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan to take a job as a consultant. Eventually returning to private practice, Melanie spent nearly a decade developing further public law expertise with redevelopment agencies and municipalities before gravitating to an in-house position at Lennar Corporation, where a markedly convoluted path led her to a promotion to Deputy General Counsel, a position she has held for close to fifteen years.