The Way of the Wall Street Warrior

CHAPTER 10Office Politics: Only Friends and Very Good Friends

Office politics is an epidemic in all companies. Show me a company that doesn't have any and I'll show you a company devoid of people. It exists because people are complicated, are consumed with their own goals, and need others to get stuff done or simply get out of the way. Whether they realize it or not, they're using every tool at their disposal to achieve their individual goals and engage in activities that shift balances of power to their gain. I've found that the degree of the politicization is directly correlated to the number of people in the organization—the more, the less merry. Gossip, innuendo, and backstabbing all seem to increase exponentially the more mouths there are to feed and the more hands in the cookie jar. So stand ready, hone your peripheral vision, and cover your back lest a dagger gets stuck in it.

Start Kissing Babies

The best way to deal with office politics is to stay above the fray. Take the high road and avoid getting caught in the muck with the pigs. Develop a solid reputation for being a team player, but also for being someone who isn't out to get everyone. Personal brand preservation is critical, and someone who isn't viewed as a threat is someone who will most likely survive—or at the very least bide their time until the moment is ripe for action.

The tools you've learned so far, like your newfound understanding of affinity bias, really come in handy when dealing with office politics ...