"Win at Work"

Weekly Newsletter by Yasar Ahmad

Few key free resources worth noting this week.

The ChatGPT prompt that perfects your resume.
The 30% salary jump playbook (Full free guide)
The Ultimate Script book (My favourite but also because it has 558 scripts that help you with every situation)

Quick Note: I have 2 spaces for "hire me for the day". This is when I spend the whole day with only you (yes 1:1) and work on a customised training day. Think of it as a 1:1 workshop / strategy session / masterclass with a 100% guarantee of success. For people that want to move fast and ready to go. Send me a whatsapp with your problem and goal on +44782 333 3335 then we can talk. (Please note: first come, first serve basis).

Week 21 - Confidence - Office Politics - Play the Game Without Losing Your Integrity

“Office politics” often gets a bad rap. You might wish you could just do your job and ignore the politics altogether. But here’s the hard truth: politics exist in every workplace. In fact, most professionals say that getting ahead requires navigating office politics to some degree. You don’t have to like it, but ignoring it won’t make it go away.

The problem: If you opt out of office politics completely, you may find yourself mysteriously passed over for opportunities. Decisions get made at lunch or behind closed doors that you never even hear about. Less-talented coworkers might leap ahead because they’ve mastered self-promotion or built strategic alliances. On the flip side, diving into politics the wrong way – by scheming, gossiping, or kissing up – will torch your reputation and relationships. Colleagues will see through phony behavior. Trust once lost is hard to regain. So either extreme, disengaged or sleazy – hurts your career.

The reality is, office politics is really just human dynamics at work: relationships, influence, and reputation. The good news is you can engage in this dynamic positively and ethically. Think of it as being strategically considerate. It’s about getting to know people, understanding the unwritten rules, and positioning yourself and your ideas in the best light – without betraying your values.

Solution: Here’s how to navigate office politics while keeping your integrity intact:

Build genuine relationships (across levels): Get to know people in other teams and at various seniorities. Not just when you need something – make a habit of small positive interactions. When you have goodwill banked, you naturally have more influence. Plus, understanding different players’ perspectives reduces misunderstandings.
Know the unwritten rules: Every workplace has unofficial norms – like who really influences decisions, which meetings are key, or the best way to propose an idea. Observe and ask mentors to clue you in. Once you know, you can navigate smarter (for example, maybe getting buy-in from that respected senior engineer before pitching your plan will vastly improve its chances).
Stay above gossip and drama: Don’t fuel the rumor mill. If someone tries to rope you into trash-talking others, tactfully change the subject or focus on solutions. Likewise, avoid whining in public forums. You want a reputation as positive and solutions-focused, not a complainer. (If a coworker gossips with you, they’ll likely gossip about you.)
Promote your work - gracefully: Playing politics doesn’t mean bragging nonstop. But you do need to ensure your contributions are visible. Keep your manager informed of your successes (e.g. a concise weekly update highlighting wins). Speak up about progress in team meetings. If you led a successful project, consider presenting the results. Frame it as team success or business impact, not self-congratulation. You’re simply making sure good work isn’t invisible.
Align with the big picture: Position your ideas and requests in terms of what the organization or your boss cares about. This isn’t sucking up; it’s strategic. If you know an executive’s priority is customer satisfaction, and you have an idea to improve it, mention how your proposal boosts customer happiness. You’re more likely to get support because you’ve connected the dots.
Keep your integrity, always: No deal or promotion is worth your character. Say no to unethical shortcuts, even if someone suggests “everyone’s doing it.” Be consistent – treat people with respect whether or not they can “do something” for you. Uphold fairness (don’t steal credit or throw colleagues under the bus). Over time, you’ll be known as trustworthy. That reputation is pure gold; even higher-ups will play straight with you because they know you’re principled.

Example: Say there’s an informal “in-crowd” that always hears news first. Instead of stewing on the sidelines, make an effort to build rapport. Invite one of them to coffee and ask for their insights on a project. By showing genuine interest, you gradually earn a spot in the loop - no gossip or backstabbing, just relationship-building. Now, when decisions are brewing, you hear about them earlier and can contribute instead of being blindsided.)

Take Aways:

Office politics is not about playing dirty – it’s about being savvy. By building real relationships, staying positive, and staying true to your values, you can navigate the game and influence outcomes without losing yourself. Remember, reputation is currency in the workplace. Guard it, invest in it, and use it wisely. Do this, and you’ll advance on your merits and maintain the respect of your colleagues. That’s winning at work the right way.

Thanks

Yasar