If you say you “hate office politics,” you might be missing the point.
Chances are, you don’t hate politics—you hate being on the wrong side of it.
You hate the feeling of being left out, talked around, or blindsided.
That’s fair.
But opting out won’t fix it.
You’re not above politics.
You’re just not using it well—yet.
The word politics comes from polis—the Greek term for a self-governed community.
It’s always been about how people with different interests live and lead together.
It was never meant to be toxic.
We distorted it by pretending that difference is dangerous.
But difference is human.
People have different priorities, pressures, and perspectives—and they should.
That’s not dysfunction.
That’s reality.
Politics is how we navigate those differences.
Yes, it can feel frustrating.
Yes, it’s messy and imperfect.
But opting out doesn’t make it go away—it just means your voice isn’t in the room.
Here’s what healthy politics looks like in practice:
- Anchor to the mission—and hold others to it.
•If a move doesn’t serve the mission or reflect your values—name it. - Seek to understand.
•Everyone is optimizing for something.
•Know what that is before you judge or push back. - Choose your battles.
•You don’t need to fight every time.
•But when it matters—show up fully. - Speak up for yourself.
•If your perspective isn’t represented, the outcome won’t reflect it. - Model transparency.
•Don’t just critique backchanneling.
•Refuse to participate in it.
Politics isn’t dirty by default.
It reflects the principles—or the compromises—of the people practicing it.
How do you stay true to yourself while navigating power at work?
My colleagues Ethan Evans, Steve Huynh, Sundas Khalid, and Rajdeep Saha are all sharing insights on how to navigate office politics. Read their advice.