Navigating Internal Politics

Corporate politics are a necessary evil if you want to survive and thrive at work. That doesn't mean you have to play dirty, but you do need to learn how to play the game. Most people dislike office politics and try to avoid them at all costs. Unfortunately, by working against them, you will stall your career progression, hinder job opportunities, and limit the impact of your work.

Why does office politics exist?

Work involves dealing with people, and people are emotional beings with conflicting wants, needs, and underlying biases and insecurities. We both collaborate and compete with our co-workers -  for promotions, for coveted project, for the boss’s attention, and more. Combine all of this and you've created a politically charged corporate environment. 

So how can you easily and successfully navigate internal politics?

According to one Google Vice President, an individual's ability to get job opportunities, promotions, and help with your career is related to one's ability to manage their personal brand using the PIE model (Performance - Image - Exposure). It's an unfortunate reality, but once you recognize it's true and understand it, you actually make your career easier to navigate and move forward.

• Performance: Are you good at what you do? Are you the best you can be at your job? Are you still growing and pushing yourself to improve? Without strong performance in the role you have today, you won't reach the next step in your dream career. 

• Image: When people know you, what do they think of you and your work? Does their perception of you match the reality of what you want to stand for? If you want to be a CEO, does your equity stand for "great leader, visionary, able to get things done, inspirational, optimistic, proven, capable"? If not, you may never get the CEO job you aspire to have.
  • Find out how to improve your image with this activity
    • Write down what you want to stand for using three adjectives, and ask yourself - 
      • Does what you want to stand for make you a good candidate for the job you want in the future?
      • If I asked someone you work with today to describe you in three adjectives, what adjectives would they use?
    • Determine what steps you need to take to make sure people's perceptions of you match what you want to stand for, and what you want to stand for holds the traits for your future dream job.

• Exposure: How many people actually know you and have a real understanding of your personal brand equity? If I asked you to make a list of 5 Vice Presidents or 10 Directors at your company (if you have that many!) that could write down a statement about you and your personal equity, could you do it? If people don't know you, they can't promote you, hire you, think of you for career opportunities, or help you achieve your career goals. Many people will be shocked at how low their "personal brand awareness" is at their company and outside their company.  Make your list today. If it is not big enough, do something to change this fact. Make a plan.

Unfortunately, the rules of corporate America include politics and just working hard (Performance) won't get you to where you want to be in your career, and it certainly won't progress you forward in your career quickly. You can't just be good at your job. Your ability to get what you want in your career is related to your ability to manage these three pillars - Performance, Image, and Exposure - and once you accept and master them, you'll open up new and exciting opportunities. Embrace the fact that politics exist, and help yourself move forward by learning how to navigate them easily and effectively.