Corporate Politics at the Start of Career?

I've heard that there are politics everywhere. This is something I was concerned with about joining corporate. I am afraid of getting into the action being in corporate but if it's everywhere, one can't escape. 2019 was the year I wanted to observe on corporate politics. Definition wise, according to wikipedia, it is 'the process and behaviour in human interactions involving power and authority'. When there are humans involved, we bring our background and upbringing difference, coupled with ambition, agenda, competitiveness and insecurity; politics are just inevitable.

Source: Wix

I spent 3+ years in a high profile department, working across the organisation from top management, middle level cross functionally and to the working level. I will be sharing on each of them, as a junior in a company. I wouldn't say I have a lot of experience but I count my blessing for the vast exposure at the start of the career. It helps me to learn about corporate politics.

Before I dive in, I think it's important to establish that politics is not necessarily negative. I did see it as a negative topic but after observing and seeing how politics could help in advancing one's career, it's fair to say it has both positives and negatives, and it ultimately depends how one plays it and what's your principle(s). I will try to balance my viewpoints on its positives and negatives.

The higher you go, the more politics there is. Management, each of them has different ambitions and mandates with their roles, some are complimenting, some are conflicting. When it comes to conflicts, somehow it's down to the working level to manage stakeholder expectations. In one project, the situation did take additional effort, late nights and emotions. And yet, it's inevitable, I learn that it is part of the job I signed up for. Upon my own reflection, I realised what I was trying to do is to balance the management objectives and take multiple reviews to ensure they are on board and aligned. Was it additional work? Yes. Was it necessary? Yes. I also realised ultimately it depends on who has the bigger power and authority. However, if I am one-sided right from the start, I would have failed the stakeholder management. In the end, I thank God there is no bridges burn.

Senior to middle level managers, cross functional politics are somehow uglier. I guess I would say the management team plays more sophisticated politics, whereas the middle layer is fueled by personal ambitions and the authority behind them. In my experience, I was shielded by most of them. But I recalled a session or two, where I actually walked out of the room when the meeting became responsibilities pushing. I remembered feeling frustrated even though I wasn't involving. It was definitely not my level of play and of course I was shielded. I realised what I would do is to let my manager who is at that level to manage it. And manager(s) have been gladly taken it up upon themselves.

Peer level politics are more balanced with its positives and negatives. By positives, I meant the network you can gain and how it can help you positively in completing a task. I have to say I love engaging with working level, there is often knowledge transfer and I am truly grateful for the great people I have met at the working level. By negatives, I meant the underlying peer competition. I experienced it mildly once and it put me in a very uncomfortable position trying to not lose out in the situation against my peer.

What are my stance about corporate politics?

Firstly, I believe in positive politics on network and alliance. My first job was 3+ years and the biggest achievement I identified was the network that I built. The book 'How Women Rise' highlights the importance of alliance in Chapter 4. The authors mentioned the 4th habit hindering women for progressing was 'building instead of leveraging relationship' It did take me awhile to be comfortable with the idea of leveraging relationships. But it has become beneficial at the working level and stakeholder level.

Secondly, politics is important and helpful in career advancement. The book 'The Politics of Promotion' helped me to realise corporate politics and stakeholder management go hand in hand - that effective politics work when there is an exchange and that I am able to position myself to help my stakeholder(s) who in turn is interested in my growth. These invaluable relationships can be mentorship, coaching, sponsorship. Speaking from experience, this worked in my favour and I am so grateful. Here's a complementary article by the author on Forbes which is quite insightful.

Thirdly, the one I think is the most important and I have yet to come across this in the books I have read. I strive to not let corporate politics change me. Upon my post mortem review of my first job, I was glad that I stayed true to myself with the positive politics and stayed out of negative politics. My engagement with the working level and the stakeholders leveraging were sincere and not calculated. This is my biggest personal takeaway. This article has some spot on and practice tips on using politics positively.

Conclusion

I dived into the different politics by levels and I shared my stance after a year of observing. It isn't as bad as I thought. I would like to emphasise the part of being genuine and sincere help a lot for me. I did have some tough moments, both professionally and personally at work, but it didn't change me. I am patting myself on my back while I am typing this. I would also like to be realistic about encountering a negative politics some day. And I am predicting that there will be another year of focus on Corporate Politics Part 2.