Is office politics just immaturity we should ignore as leaders?
I get why we want to say yes. Calling it “immaturity” creates distance. It lets us believe we’re above it. But leadership isn’t about being above human dynamics – it’s about being responsible for the environment those dynamics grow in. Office politics is not always a sign your people are childish. More often, it’s a sign your people are careful – with their words, their reputations, and who they trust.
What office politics really is
Office politics is the unofficial way work gets done: influence, alliances, perceptions, and the unspoken rules that sit alongside the org chart.
It shows up as:
• The conversation after the meeting, not in it
• The “just checking” message to someone powerful before a decision
• Stories that spread faster than facts
Politics becomes toxic when it replaces honesty. But politics itself is simply human behaviour under pressure.
Why leaders can’t afford to ignore it
When leaders ignore office politics, it doesn’t disappear – it goes underground.
And underground politics is expensive:
• Decisions slow down because everything needs backchannel approval
• Information gets filtered to protect egos and agendas
• Trust erodes, and high performers leave quietly
If you’re hearing “drama” or “gossip,” don’t only ask who is causing it. Ask what
the system is rewarding.
Office politics is feedback about your culture
Politics spikes when people don’t believe directness is safe or worthwhile.
It often points to:
• Unclear decision-making: People lobby because they don’t know how decisions are made.