One of the things that destroys people’s careers is their inability to handle office politics. Navigating office politics is a skill that is required as you go higher in your career. You cannot avoid it or wish it away, as it is present in one form or another.
Your technical competence or your capacity will pale into insignificance if you do not learn to handle office politics. You must understand the different power dynamics at play and read the room correctly in so many situations so you can survive the many nights of long knives.
A passage of scripture that has helped me is 1 Samuel Chapter 18. It’s a description of how David survived the power dynamics in Saul’s Palace. He faced different situations, including jealousy and envy, populist recognition, demotion and even treachery but four times in that chapter, David was said to ‘behave himself wisely’.
You may not choose the politics around you, but you can choose how you move through them. Share on XThere was a time the public praised him openly and gave him more credit than his boss. He didn’t allow it to get into his head. At another time, he was made an offer to become the king’s in-law. He deflected it with humility. He escaped several entrapments by ‘behaving himself wisely’. The more he behaved himself wisely, the more the Lord preserved him.
Navigating office politics is a skill everyone can learn and handle better if we do the following:
1. Mind what you say
Don’t be frivolous with your speech at work. Be well guided in your communication. Your speech is a window to your heart and whatever you say will be used against you. Be circumspect even when you’re in the midst of those you consider friends. Beware of entrapment.
2. Be humble
Humility is not low self-esteem but having an appropriate estimation of self. Your ego must be under control. Deflect credit upwards every time. Recognise the contribution of your superiors. Praise your bosses privately and publicly.
3. Collaborate — don’t compete
People will see you less as a threat if you’re willing to collaborate more than to compete. Personal ambition must be well guided with utmost discretion.
Not every room requires you to prove how powerful you are. Sometimes, wisdom is knowing how to move without making yourself the target. Share on X4. Be excellent at all times
If you have great skills at navigating office politics but suck at the real job, you’re just a mere bootlicker and will soon be found out. Your work must speak for itself. You must demonstrate competence to be respected. The king requested one hundred foreskins but David gave him two hundred. You must be willing to go the extra mile in terms of your dedication and diligence. Excellence begets respect always.
5. Be professional
There is a certain decorum expected at all times. Observe it. Stay within the boundaries and be ethical. Be consistent in every situation.