The uncomfortable truth about office politics
Readtime: 3 minutes
If you’ve spent your career trying to avoid office politics, this might be uncomfortable to read.
For a long time, the formula was simple:
Do good work, be reliable, and keep your head down.
For most of your early career, that approach works because your competence stands out and your effort is rewarded.
Then, somewhere around mid-career, something changes.
You’re still delivering. (Often more than ever.) But your momentum can slow. Opportunities might not materialise as quickly as you expected, and the recognition you get can feel disconnected from the contribution you feel you’re making.
You’re not failing. And you’re certainly not slacking. But still, it’s common to think: “Surely I should be further ahead by now.”
You might also notice friends or colleagues getting ahead because they seem comfortable “playing the game”. And you start wondering whether you should do more of that too, even though it doesn’t sit as easily with you.
We’re often told that office politics is something to avoid. That it’s better to stay above it, let your work speak for itself, and not get drawn into it. That advice tends to serve us well early on.
But later in your career, it becomes less helpful.
Avoiding politics won’t protect you in the way most people expect. And over time, it can mean being less visible in the conversations where your future is shaped.
At a certain point, your performance becomes an entry requirement rather than a differentiator. Most people you’re competing with are capable, even if they’re not as capable as you... What starts to matter more is visibility, influence, and alignment with the people making decisions.
The risk is that it’s easy for smart, capable people to lose some of the most important years of their career here without realising it. They keep playing by the rules that worked for them earlier, even though the situation has changed.
If you’ve built your career on capability, that’s a strong foundation. But it’s now only part of the story.
Office politics has a poor reputation, but in practice it’s normally less dramatic than people think. It’s usually about understanding how things actually work, for example, how decisions are made, whose views are influential, and what the organisation is focused on right now.
Seeing this clearly gives you more choice in how you engage. It allows you to spend your energy where it has a genuine chance to shape outcomes that matter to you.
Here are a few practical ways to start:
First, pay attention to where decisions are made, not just who they’re announced by. Notice who gets involved early, who is asked for their perspective, and whose views carry weight over time. Invest in relationships with these people, building trust through regular, thoughtful contact. These relationships often matter more than formal processes.
Second, make your contribution easier to understand and advocate for. Share progress, link it explicitly to the organisation’s current priorities, and be clear about the impact you’re having. This helps others see your value without having to infer it.
Third, be explicit about what you want next. Many people wait too long before advocating for their own progression. Having normal, professionals conversations about the scope of your role, your own development, and potential future roles is required here.
Two less obvious moves are also worth considering:
One is to become known for your judgement, not just what you deliver. Senior people notice those who help them navigate complexity and make sound decisions on difficult issues, because it makes their own jobs easier.
Another is to be deliberate about what you don’t get involved in. Senior people notice those who can say no – or redirect work – in a way that protects the organisation’s priorities. Over time, this signals confidence, discernment, and an understanding of what the organisation really values.
The bottom line
None of this requires becoming someone you’re not.
But taken together, it will significantly change how you’re perceived.
You’ve earned your track record. Don’t waste it. Make sure it is interpreted, positioned, and used in your favour.
If this resonated, try one small shift over the next few weeks and notice what changes.
And if you want to reply and tell me what you’re seeing, I read every email.
Thanks for reading,
Mostyn
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