Leadership
Navigating Workplace Politics Gracefully
14 September 2026 · Global Women's Week
Politics isn't inherently toxic — it's how decisions actually get made in any group of people.
Understanding informal influence — who actually shapes decisions, regardless of title — is a practical skill, not a cynical one. Ignoring it doesn't make it disappear; it just means you're navigating blind.
Build relationships across the organization before you need anything from them. Reaching out only when you need a favor is far less effective than consistent, low-stakes relationship-building over time.
Stay out of gossip and alliances built on undermining others — it's tempting in the short term but reliably damages trust and reputation over the long run.
Quick tips
- Map informal influence, not just the org chart
- Build cross-team relationships before you need them
- Avoid gossip — it costs more trust than it's worth