397. The psychology of office politics

When we think about office politics, you might think gossip, favouritism, or power plays - the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that makes work feel draining. But office politics isn't just about one-upmanship or ambition. At its core, it's a very human process: how people build trust, navigate competition, and influence decisions in the workplace. In this episode, we break down the 'unwritten' dynamics of office politics - why they exist, how they affect your daily work life, and what you can do to navigate them without compromising your values. We explore: • The types of influence and power at work that you can leverage for yourself • Why office politics feels inevitable • How to recognise unspoken rules and social dynamics • Advice on office gossip • The 5 things you should be doing at work to get ahead (ethically) If you want to go into the office with less dread and more clarity, this episode is for you. Watch on Netflix Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast

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397. The psychology of office politics is an episode from The Psychology of your 20’s by iHeartPodcasts.

This episode is 36:48 long.

This episode was published on Mar 19, 2026.

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