How to Survive Office Politics

Co-authored by Julia Yacoob, PhD and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: January 11, 2023 References

Dealing with office politics can be really stressful, especially if you feel like a target. However, it’s possible to survive office politics if you stay professional at all times. If you’re already the target of office politics, you can deal with the bad behavior of others without losing your reputation. Additionally, it’s possible to avoid becoming a target in the first place. If you like, you can even try to use office politics to your advantage.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dealing with Bad Office Behavior

1
Calm down before you respond to something upsetting. It’s normal to feel upset and defensive if you feel like someone is threatening your livelihood. However, it’s important that you have a calm, professional reaction.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Julia Yacoob, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 15 July 2021.} When something upsets you, take a few minutes to calm yourself down. Take deep breaths and picture yourself responding calmly.^{[2]
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- For instance, let’s say you get called into your boss’s office and find out that your coworker blamed you for something they did. Don’t get upset and tell your boss about all of your coworker’s flaws. Instead, take a deep breath and count to 10. Then, calmly tell your boss that you aren’t working on that project but are happy to help. Say, “I didn’t realize that this project was behind because I’m not assigned to it. However, I’m happy to take it on.”
2
Try to see things from your coworker’s perspective to find solutions. It’s possible that your coworker doesn’t realize that their behavior is problematic. In fact, they might think you’re the one who’s being political. Try examining the issues you’re having with them from their perspective to see if they might have a reason for acting like they do.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Julia Yacoob, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 15 July 2021.} Then, look for changes you can make to improve the situation.^{[4]
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- For example, let’s say your coworker is constantly complaining that you withhold information about a project you’re working on together. After thinking about it, you might realize that you’re waiting several days between communications so that you can send a lot of information at once. The solution could be to send daily emails even if there’s no new information.
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3
Stick to your personal values while at the office. When you’re dealing with office politics, you might feel like you need to be underhanded to get ahead. However, this will make you feel worse and is unlikely to lead to success. Instead, remind yourself of your personal values and make the right choice for you.^{[5]
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- For instance, let’s say your coworker gets a promotion after taking credit for other people’s work. You might feel like you need to steal credit, but it’s best to be honest about your work.
4
Build yourself a support network at work.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Lindsay Gordon
Career Coach
Expert Interview. 21 September 2021.} Sometimes work can be stressful, and it’s helpful to have work friends who can lighten your load. Get to know your coworkers and build a professional relationship with them. Try to have at least 2-3 work friends you can count on.^{[7]
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- Remember to always be professional with your work friends. Otherwise, your personal and professional lives might blend together, which can fuel office politics.
5
Vent your feelings to a friend or relative, not your coworkers. Your work friends know everything about your workplace, so they might seem like the best confidants. However, telling your coworkers your complaints about work is giving them ammo to use against you. Instead, talk to a friend or relative who’s not connected to your job when you need to vent.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Julia Yacoob, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Expert Interview. 15 July 2021.} Ask them to keep your thoughts confidential.^{[9]
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- For example, you might talk to your partner, sister, or best friend.
- Say, “I’m having issues at work. Can we talk about it for a few minutes?”
6
Manage your stress so you won’t get overwhelmed at work. Work stresses are a normal part of life, but they shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Take care of yourself by making stress management a part of your routine. Identify stress relief activities that help you. Then, incorporate them into your daily activities. Try the following:^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Meditate for 10 minutes.
- Go for a nature walk.
- Play with your pet.
- Color in an adult coloring book.
- Do aromatherapy.
- Soak in a hot bath.
- Read a book.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Overcoming Office Politics

1
Follow the rules in your workplace. There are several reasons why you might not want to follow the rules. They might seem unnecessary or it’s possible that others are already breaking them. However, going against the rules in your workplace opens you up to criticism. Make sure you read and understand the policies in your workplace and follow them at all times.^{[11]
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- For instance, let’s say your workplace has a rule that you’re not allowed to use the company printers for personal items. While you might notice your coworkers using the printer for their personal use all of the time, it’s best to avoid doing this yourself.
Tip: If you do something wrong, fess up to your supervisor and correct the error immediately. This will show that you’re an open, honest person who wants to do the right thing. Plus, it will eliminate the risk that your coworkers can use your actions against you.
2
Be patient and composed as often as you’re able. This includes special days like casual Friday, weekend overtime, overnight trips, and holiday parties. While it’s okay to have fun at work events, make sure you don’t cross the line into unprofessional behavior. Imagine that your boss is watching at all times, and avoid doing anything you wouldn’t want to discuss in a review of your job performance.
- For example, your office might have alcohol at company parties. It’s okay to enjoy a drink, but don’t have so many drinks that you lose your inhibitions.
- Similarly, you might have an overnight work trip with a coworker. While it’s okay to be friendly with them, don’t gossip about your other coworkers or reveal too much about your personal life.
3
Assume that everything you say will be repeated to others. You might feel comfortable confiding in your work friends, or you might feel like it’s safe to agree with a complaint from someone else. However, what you say can be used against you. Before you say anything, imagine that you’re speaking over an intercom. If you don’t feel comfortable announcing your thoughts to the entire office, keep them to yourself.
- For example, a coworker might say, “I can’t believe Joe got that promotion. He’s late every day.” Don’t say, “I know! I can’t believe it either.” Instead, say something like, “Did you hear that we might be getting a new copier?” or “Do you know if there’s a fresh pot of coffee in the break room?”
Warning: Keep in mind that your coworkers can misrepresent your tone or misuse your words to make you look bad. Try to keep your communications professional at all times.
4
Avoid complaining about work because it hurts your reputation. You might occasionally have problems at work, and that’s okay. However, talking about these frustrations or having a bad attitude makes you an easy target. Keep your complaints about your workplace, your boss, and your coworkers to yourself.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices
Go to source}
- Try to focus on the positive aspects of your workplace. For example, you might really like the receptionist and you might have access to good training classes.
- If you really hate your job, start looking for a new job. In the meantime, put your best foot forward at your current job so that you get a good recommendation from them.
5
Make yourself useful to your coworkers. If your coworkers need your help, they’ll be unlikely to undermine you at work. Freely share your knowledge and skills with anyone who needs it. Additionally, offer to help your coworkers when they need assistance. If you’re assigned to a group project, make sure you’re putting in your share of the work.^{[13]
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- You want your coworkers to feel like you’re helping them reach their goals, which will make them feel like you need them.
- This also helps you be an asset to your organization, so it will help your career, as well.
- For example, let’s say you’re the only one who’s trained to use a new piece of equipment. Instead of keeping this information to yourself so that your boss needs you, offer to train your coworkers who are interested in learning the machine. This shows you’re a team player and put the business first.
6
Talk up everyone’s accomplishments so you don’t seem arrogant. Getting your accomplishments recognized can help you get ahead, but bragging about yourself can make you a target of office politics. Instead, celebrate everyone’s accomplishments to show that you’re a team player. This will make your coworkers respect you more and will show your employer that you care more about your company’s successes than your own.
- For example, let’s say your office is having a quarterly meeting the day after you finalized a big sale. At the meeting, you might say, “I’d like to take a minute to celebrate the accomplishments our department made this past month. Rashida brought in 3 new clients, Sean developed a great new filing system, and I closed my biggest sale of the year.”
7
Be reliable when you agree to do something. If you let your coworkers down, you’re likely going to become a target for office politics. This makes your coworkers frustrated with you and can leave them in a bad position. Make sure that you follow through anytime you offer to help with something. Additionally, always meet your deadlines.^{[14]
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- If you are going to be late for any reason, notify your coworkers as soon as possible and tell your supervisor so you’re in control of the situation. You might send an email with your boss copied saying, “Because my client meeting ran over, I was unable to complete the account analysis today. I know this is going to hold up your project, but I’ll have it to you by tomorrow morning.”
8
Improve your interpersonal skills so you can relate to people. Being well-liked makes it less likely that you’ll become a target of office drama. To build your interpersonal skills, spend more time with people in your free time so you can practice your social skills. When you’re at work, make eye contact, show interest in your coworkers, and listen to what people have to say.^{[15]
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- Approach situations looking for a compromise rather than always trying to get your own way.
- Don’t just pursue your own success. Make it your goal to help all of your coworkers be successful, as well.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Gaining the Upper Hand

1
Talk to the people who play dirty so you know what they’re doing. Occasionally spending time with the instigators of office politics can give you a better understanding of their motivations. Do your best to stay on their good side, so long as that doesn’t mean hurting other people in the office. Additionally, use your inside knowledge to avoid work drama.^{[16]
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- For instance, offer to help them with something around the office.
- Be careful what you say in front of them, since they can misuse your words against you.
- Steering clear of these instigators is also a good strategy for surviving office politics. If they don’t know you, they’re less likely to be able to hurt you.
2
Connect with people who have influence in your office.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Lindsay Gordon
Career Coach
Expert Interview. 21 September 2021.} It’s important to know the informal hierarchy at your job. For instance, your boss’s secretary may have a low job title but probably has a lot of influence over your workplace. Pay attention to who seems to have authority in your office. Then, build a relationship with those who have influence.
- For example, you may notice that your boss’s mentee has a lot of influence even though they’re new. Invite them to lunch and offer to help them.
3
Listen more than you speak. Listening to what others say gives you more power than your might realize. You’ll know what everyone is doing and about any gossip that’s going around. Additionally, talking less will put you at a lower risk for oversharing something that you shouldn’t. While you’re at the office, try to listen more than you speak.^{[18]
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- Since people like talking about themselves, this will also make them like you more.
- This doesn’t mean that you should avoid your coworkers. Make the rounds and greet people, but let them do most of the talking. You might say, “Hey, how’s the project going?”
4
Avoid bad mouthing your colleagues. Spreading rumors isn’t the way to help your career. While it might seem to work for others, it’s a dirty way to get ahead. Additionally, it can easily backfire. Don’t trash your coworkers to try to make yourself look better.^{[19]
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- Try to establish a reputation as an honest, fair person who doesn’t attack others.
- If you have a real complaint about someone, try to work it out with them.
5
Keep records of your work progress and communications. If you do find yourself a target of office politics, having good documentation can help you protect yourself. Save your email communications, document meeting minutes, and keep records of the work you contribute to group projects. Organize your documentation so that it’s easy to access.^{[20]
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- For example, you might type up meeting minutes and send it to your coworkers so that everyone has a copy. That way, if there’s a dispute later, you can pull out the minutes that everyone agreed to right after the meeting.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should I do if a coworker is loud and distracting?

Julia Yacoob, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Julia Yacoob is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in New York City. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults coping with a variety of symptoms and life stressors. Dr. Yacoob earned an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University, and pursued specialized training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Institute for Behavior Therapy, and Bellevue Hospital Cancer Center. Dr. Yacoob is a member of the American Psychological Association, Women’s Mental Health Consortium, NYC Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.

Julia Yacoob, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Assert yourself and tell your coworker that you are finding it distracting. Shift to another part of the office or use headphones. Make calls in a conference room. Have a different work schedule from that coworker. If things become difficult, talk to your manager about it.
Question

What can I do to vent out my feelings?

Julia Yacoob, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Julia Yacoob is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in New York City. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults coping with a variety of symptoms and life stressors. Dr. Yacoob earned an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University, and pursued specialized training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Institute for Behavior Therapy, and Bellevue Hospital Cancer Center. Dr. Yacoob is a member of the American Psychological Association, Women’s Mental Health Consortium, NYC Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.

Julia Yacoob, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

You can talk to your friend, spouse, or therapist about what is bothering you. You will feel better after you vent out your feelings.
Question

How do I handle a calm and cunning person?

Community Answer

Everyone has a weak point. Reaching out to this will help you handle this calm and cunning person. Secondly, befriending this person and observing from the outside will help in understanding his/her state of mind. Just remember, snakes can be hunted if you know how to put them on a loop.