The Career Raven Weekly: Navigating Office Politics: How to Build Influence Without Falling in the Corporate Trap

Hello, Career Raven Coven!

Office politics can be tricky, and it’s easy to get caught up in the drama. But the reality is, knowing how to build influence without playing political games is a skill that can help you advance in your career and create a positive impact in the workplace.

Why Navigating Office Politics Matters

The key to success in any organization isn’t just about performing well in your role—it’s also about understanding the dynamics around you. Building influence helps you gain support for your ideas, connect with decision-makers, and get recognized for your contributions. The best part? You don’t have to be manipulative or insincere to do it.

How to Build Influence Without Playing Politics

Here’s how you can build influence in a positive, ethical way:

1. Build Trust and Credibility

   • Be consistent and reliable in your work. Trust is the foundation of influence.

   • Do what you say you’ll do, and make sure your colleagues know they can count on you.

   • Compliment others who aren’t involved in your meetings. Be authentic with this, but people tend to like folks who talk nice about others who aren’t present in the room.

2. Focus on Collaboration, Not Competition

   • Shift your mindset from competition to collaboration. Helping others succeed will ultimately help you build your influence.

   • Share credit and acknowledge your colleagues' achievements. People appreciate humility and teamwork.

3. Find Mentors and Allies

   • Look for mentors who can guide you and help you navigate the corporate landscape.

   • Build strong, genuine relationships with colleagues at all levels—these alliances can help you advance in your career.

4. Communicate Effectively

   • Clear, transparent, and respectful communication is key to building influence.

   • Make sure you listen as much as you talk. People respect those who make an effort to understand others’ perspectives. Don’t just talk to talk, some folks feel the need to interject to be heard at all times, that is not needed, but be quick to share your thoughts when you are compelled to do so.

5. Stay True to Your Values

   • Avoid getting involved in toxic or unethical behavior. Stand firm in your values and don’t compromise your integrity for short-term gains. Don’t dip your toes in the office gossip, no matter how juicy.

   • If you feel uncomfortable with something happening around you, speak up in a respectful and professional manner. Sometimes, you need to speak up, as office drama and politics can go a bit too far.

Action Steps:

• Start a conversation with someone you admire at work. Ask for advice and guidance.

• Look for opportunities to collaborate on projects or initiatives with colleagues from different departments.

• Practice active listening in your next meeting or conversation to strengthen your communication skills.

This Week’s Challenge:

This week, I challenge you to reach out to a colleague from another department or team and set up a meeting to learn more about what they do. Building these cross-departmental relationships will help you increase your influence.

Need Help?

If you need advice on how to build influence or navigate difficult office dynamics, I’m here to guide you. Let’s talk about how to enhance your professional relationships.

Coming Next Week:

Next week, we’ll talk about The Power of Self-Advocacy—how to talk about your wins without coming off as bragging. Stay tuned!

Stay tuned and keep soaring!

With Empowerment and Strategy,
Jen DeLorenzo
Career Coach & Reverse Recruiter