Navigating Workplace Politics

Written by: Kamia F. Slaughter

The first few days and weeks of a new job can feel daunting. Who do you talk to? How do you ask for help? How do you get acclimated to a new role? It may seem as if everyone, but you, knows the secret to success. More challenges present themselves for early career and transitioning professionals, especially when entering a new field. I remember beginning new roles in K-12 and higher education. I knew how to do my job, but I didn’t immediately know the culture of the environment. What was atypical to some of my colleagues was normal in other work settings. The lack of congruence between what I previously knew and what I had to learn left me feeling confused, ill-prepared, and like I was always playing “catch-up.” Below, I offer 3 recommendations for navigating workplace politics: 

First, recognize when and where the source of issues endorses anti-Blackness. For a brief stint, I had issues communicating and justifying behavioral and disciplinary decisions to school stakeholders. Initially, I wondered why I had this problem, and several of my colleagues did not.

When I finally got a chance to reflect and prepare to change, I realized that a specific educational technology that my colleagues encouraged me to use did not align with my values, ideals, or methods as a Black woman. The technology served as a type of surveillance for others to constantly monitor and critique my practices, and it also forced me to “other” behavior that fell outside the realm of a white-washed standard. Once I understood this, I created a new way of charting behavior, which significantly improved my workplace experience. You can do the same.

Second, find your people. You may gravitate toward others who look like you, who think like you, or who act like you. These folks can serve as a support system to help you discern, engage in, and, at times, resist workplace politics. Remember that trusted colleagues do not have to be your best friends. Look for communities that have your best interest at heart. 

Third, use your prior experience to your advantage. Often, I hear about fields being interdisciplinary. Most of the time, people think the term is reserved for content; however, there is always room for processes and practices to translate across disciplines and fields. Use what you know to introduce new ideas to new people in new contexts.

Navigating workplace politics can be difficult. It is my hope that by keeping these 3 considerations in mind, you will feel more prepared and empowered to engage in your work.