How to play corporate politics and win

Whether in corporate or not-for-profit settings, organizational politics shape careers

Hard work and results matter, but they’re not enough. In most organizations, career success also depends on your ability to navigate the unwritten rules of power, influence and alignment. Leaders who rise and endure aren’t just skilled at their jobs—they’re politically aware, strategically connected and able to read the room. Understanding organizational politics isn’t optional. It’s essential.

If you want to advance in your career, you must understand—and respect—the power of organizational politics.

There’s no escaping it. In competitive workplaces, politics are everywhere. Refusing to engage with them can quietly sabotage your chances of success.

Politics—the strategic art of building influence, managing relationships and aligning with the right people—isn’t for everyone. But your ability to navigate them often determines how far you go.

Even the not-for-profit sector isn’t immune. In fact, some argue it can be more political than the corporate world. Because it operates under the banner of service and altruism, people assume it’s above personal ambition—but that’s a myth. Many in the sector pursue power and influence just as aggressively as their corporate counterparts.

No career is politics-free. Even artists, writers and performers must engage with gatekeepers—gallery owners, producers, funders—to get their work seen and supported. They’re asking the same questions corporate climbers ask: Who holds influence? How do I build the right relationships? What doors need to be opened?

At their worst, organizational politics involve favouritism, secrecy and manipulation. But at its best, it operates like a game of chess—requiring tact, timing, intelligence and social awareness. The healthiest way to deal with politics is to acknowledge it exists, then learn to navigate it ethically. The challenge is to use it to advance your career without hurting others in the process.

Power brokers—in every field—understand the political landscape. If you’re new to an organization, take time to observe. Who are the real decision-makers? Who influences opinion? What alliances are at play? Getting aligned with the wrong faction can quietly stall your progress for years.

In some companies, political winds shift with every change in leadership. In others, the culture remains remarkably consistent over time. Politics and culture are closely linked. When a hiring manager says, “You’re a great fit here,” they’re saying your personality aligns with the company’s unspoken political rules.

Large and small organizations approach politics differently. Larger firms often come with more bureaucracy, formal career paths and established power structures. Smaller ones may be more nimble and less hierarchical—but politics still exist, just on a more intimate scale. The bigger the company, the more complex the political game.

Every organization has its own political ecosystem. Learning how to read it—and move within it—is critical to survival and success.

And while it may feel noble to avoid politics altogether, neutrality is rarely sustainable. Climbing the ladder often means aligning yourself with those who already hold power. The trick is doing so with integrity while building alliances that are genuine, not transactional.

In a perfect world, talent and hard work would be enough. In the real world, they’re only part of the equation.

Master the politics—or be mastered by them.

| Work and Careers Desk