Company politics done the effective way is a potent tool of empowerment. It is the art of inspiring others to expand their thinking and pique their interest to be brave and relevant. Motivate others to value your opinion by having a thoughtful approach, setting boundaries, encouraging women in leadership, and creating an environment with diverse views, inclusion, and equality.

Office politics has the ability to create havoc and destruction, or can be used to create new ideas, instill passion in projects, and build a supportive team environment. It all depends on how you build relationships and navigate sticky situations. When you think of the organization as a rocky place where you must avoid the sharp edges, you may have a hard time bringing continuity.

Embrace Your Role

When you try and keep yourself on the moral high ground, you also alienate yourself from critical issues. What you want to focus on is being somewhere in the middle where you can recognize, understand, and take action to confront the rough spots head on. Hence the “equal” in equality. Add to that a dose of the win-win mindset. Then evaluate and use each situation to your advantage, putting a positive spin on differences.

Some might think that once you get to the CEO position, you are done with politics. In fact, navigating politics becomes even more important, and this is where you can use your influence to shape the culture of your organization, while at the same time being an example for stellar behavior by seeking meaningful relationships, thinking outside traditional boundaries, and recognizing strength areas on your team. A leader must be able to recognize divisions that exist and bridge the gaps in an effective manner.