Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary Episode #214: Outsmarting Office Politics with Jennifer Selby Long – Part Two Release Date: March 4, 2025 Host: Vince Chan

Introduction

In episode #214 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes back Jennifer Selby Long, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience guiding tech leaders through organizational change. Building upon their previous discussions from season three, episodes seven and eight, Vince and Jennifer delve deeper into the pervasive issue of office politics, exploring its dynamics within hybrid work models and offering strategies to outsmart these challenges in the workplace.

Hybrid Work Models and Office Politics

[00:12 - 05:23]

The conversation opens with Vince posing a pertinent question about the impact of hybrid work models on office politics. He observes that while reduced in-person interactions might alleviate some tensions, the underlying political maneuvers could persist in more covert forms.

Vince Chan:
"Is a different kind of politics that could still cause issues, just less visibly." [04:50]

Jennifer Selby Long responds by emphasizing that the benefits of hybrid work in mitigating office politics are not straightforward. She points out that merely having split work locations doesn't inherently reduce political alliances or enhance collaboration on complex problems.

Jennifer Selby Long:
"If your team is distributed around the globe, I would question how much significant benefit there would be to going into an office." [05:23]

Jennifer underscores the importance of purposeful interactions and fostering a sense of belonging in globally distributed teams to combat feelings of isolation, which can exacerbate political tensions.

Navigating Office Politics and Performance

[05:23 - 12:11]

Vince shares his personal observations from corporate environments across various global offices, highlighting a common issue: high-performing employees often leave while those adept at navigating office politics remain.

Vince Chan:
"In many organizations, it's not the most skilled or high performing employees who stay. Often it's those who navigate all this politics best." [07:45]

He illustrates this with an example where less capable employees stay due to their political savvy, while top performers exit due to unrecognized contributions and lack of support.

Jennifer Selby Long advises individuals to introspect and consider their long-term priorities when faced with such dynamics. She emphasizes that decisions to stay or leave should align with personal values and career aspirations.

Jennifer Selby Long:
"Look at your situation and look hard. Because if you find a consistent pattern where the boss is just simply easily threatened by the stronger performers, that is what it is." [12:11]

Understanding and Addressing Workplace Politics

[12:11 - 19:45]

The discussion evolves to the nature of office politics itself. Vince posits that politics is neither inherently good nor bad but a manifestation of human nature within group dynamics.

Vince Chan:
"It's not the politics itself that's the issue, but how it manifests." [13:30]

Jennifer Selby Long concurs, highlighting that misaligned goals and poor conflict resolution can spiral into political maneuvering. She advocates for leaders to maintain alignment on goals and to foster healthy conflict resolution mechanisms to minimize political strife.

Jennifer Selby Long:
"Stepping back to listen the areas where you're in agreement. Most people don't." [16:37]

She further explains how understanding different communication styles and addressing conflicts proactively can significantly reduce political tensions.

Strategies for Healthy Conflict Resolution

[16:37 - 21:04]

Jennifer elaborates on practical strategies to manage and mitigate office politics by improving conflict resolution skills. She suggests that openly addressing conflicts, stepping into others' perspectives, and fostering mutual understanding can dismantle the root causes of political behavior.

Jennifer Selby Long:
"Let's step back, let's put ourselves in one another's shoes. Let's ask some more questions." [16:41]

She emphasizes that many political battles stem from unaddressed conflicts and misunderstandings. By promoting a culture of transparency and empathy, organizations can realign energies towards shared goals rather than individual agendas.

Aligning Personal Values with Workplace Culture

[19:45 - 25:40]

Concluding the episode, Vince and Jennifer discuss the importance of aligning personal values with the workplace culture. Vince advises listeners to assess whether their work environment supports their character and values, suggesting that misalignment can lead to frustration and burnout.

Vince Chan:
"Ask yourself, does this environment truly support who I am and how I work best?" [19:45]

Jennifer Selby Long reinforces this by sharing insights inspired by Clarence Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.'s attorney. She highlights the significance of aligning personal interests with organizational interests to navigate political landscapes effectively.

Jennifer Selby Long:
"What are your interests? What are their interests? Assessing the environment requires clarity on your own values and how they mesh with the organization's culture." [21:04]

She underscores that fostering alliances and understanding stakeholders' interests can pave the way for more harmonious and politically savvy workplace interactions.

Conclusion

Episode #214 of Chief Change Officer offers a comprehensive exploration of office politics within the evolving landscape of hybrid work models. Through insightful dialogue between Vince Chan and Jennifer Selby Long, listeners gain valuable perspectives on recognizing, navigating, and mitigating political dynamics in the workplace. The episode reinforces the importance of self-awareness, clear communication, and alignment of personal values with organizational culture to foster healthier and more productive professional environments.

Notable Quotes:

• Vince Chan:
  "Is a different kind of politics that could still cause issues, just less visibly." [04:50]

• Jennifer Selby Long:
  "If your team is distributed around the globe, I would question how much significant benefit there would be to going into an office." [05:23]

• Vince Chan:
  "In many organizations, it's not the most skilled or high performing employees who stay. Often it's those who navigate all this politics best." [07:45]

• Jennifer Selby Long:
  "Stepping back to listen the areas where you're in agreement. Most people don't." [16:37]

• Vince Chan:
  "Ask yourself, does this environment truly support who I am and how I work best?" [19:45]

• Jennifer Selby Long:
  "What are your interests? What are their interests? Assessing the environment requires clarity on your own values and how they mesh with the organization's culture." [21:04]

For more insights and actionable strategies on personal and professional transformation, subscribe to Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.