When two or more people interact, their goals, views, perspectives, and priorities are bound to differ. Politics emerges from the struggle and competition for power and resources, and it encapsulates the complex dynamic that results. Ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist will leave you powerless, disconnected, and without supporters to help you achieve your personal and team goals.
What Exactly Is Office Politics?
Office politics is simply when a person, motivated by 'threat paranoia,' abuses their position and power in order to outlast another person.
We need to understand why people do what they do psychologically. We live in a society that teaches us that our position defines us, and when someone smarter (younger) enters our corporate space, we feel threatened. We will not settle until the person has left or has completely surrendered to us.
The Following Have An Impact On Us & Our Performance:
1) Reduces The Organization's Overall Productivity
Employees are now more involved in workplace politics, according to studies, because their focus has shifted. They are complaining and making excuses, which reduces overall productivity and fosters a hostile work environment.
2) Demotivates Employees & Makes Them Insecure:
A person must be motivated to perform at their best. However, when they are not recognized for their efforts and their inferiors take advantage of them, it demotivates the employee. Employees become disinterested as a result of a lack of recognition or incentive, affecting their overall performance.
3) Creates a Hostile Environment For Employees:
Office politics create a toxic work environment that has an impact on productivity, interpersonal interactions, and individual performance. Employees struggle to focus and are constantly stressed. Employees are less likely to open up and share ideas or thoughts when trust is lacking. This has an immediate impact on both the business and the employee's performance.
4) An Employee's Attitude:
Employees may lose interest and find their work uninteresting as a result of office politics. Their attitude will become casual as they are not sufficiently appreciated for the effort they put in, leading to poor performance.