Chief Change Officer
#214 Outsmarting Office Politics with Jennifer Selby Long – Part Two
Tue, 4 Mar 2025
So you finally quit that toxic job, only to find yourself in another workplace filled with the same drama. What gives? Leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long explains why office politics follow you wherever you go—and how to stop them from running your career. In this two-part series, we tackle power dynamics, corporate chaos, and the real reason some people seem to climb the ladder effortlessly while others get stuck. If you’re tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else’s game, this episode is for you.Key Highlights of Our Interview:Talent vs. Tactics: Why Performance Alone Doesn’t Guarantee Success“In corporate environments, it’s often not the most skilled or hardworking employees who thrive—it’s those adept at navigating office politics. Top performers may drive results, but their brilliance can threaten insecure leaders, creating a system where political tact outshines true talent.”The Right Culture for the Right Person“Some thrive in competitive political environments; others find them draining. The key is identifying whether your personal interests align with the culture around you. The fit matters more than fighting a system that may not suit you.”No Permanent Friends, No Permanent Enemies—Just Interests“Drawing from the wisdom of Martin Luther King’s attorney, Clarence Jones: the game of politics is about aligning interests, not forging everlasting alliances. Understanding this can shift how you approach your workplace dynamics.”Burnout and Disengagement: The Fallout of Neglecting Talent“When talent is neither respected nor recognized, it creates a workplace rife with disengagement and burnout. Organizations lose not just individuals but the potential for meaningful progress, leaving behind a culture where playing the game matters more than delivering value.”_________________________Connect with us:Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Jennifer Selby Long______________________--**Chief Change Officer**--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Deep Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives, Visionary Underdogs,Transformation Gurus & Bold Hearts.6 Million+ All-Time Downloads.Reaching 80+ Countries Daily.Global Top 3% Podcast.Top 10 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.100,000+ subscribers are outgrowing. Act Today. --Chief Change Officer--Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligencefor Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.12 Million+ All-Time Downloads.Reaching 80+ Countries Daily.Global Top 3% Podcast.Top 10 US Business.Top 1 US Careers.>>>140,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<
Who is Jennifer Selby Long and what is her expertise?
Hi, everyone. Welcome to our show, Chief Change Officer. I'm Vince Chen, your ambitious human host. Our show is a modernist humility for change progressives in organizational and human transformation from around the world. Today's guest is an old friend of our show, Jennifer Selby Long. Jennifer was with us in season three, episode seven and eight.
In the last 30 years, Jennifer has been helping tech leaders navigate the waves of tech evolution, leading and managing organizational change. But leaders can't successfully drive organizational change without being a master of their own personal transformation. So last time, Jennifer and I looked into the natural process of personal change.
We also talked about how to manage self-doubt and self-sabotage. Jennifer, welcome back to Chief Change Officer. At the end of our last conversation, we talked about something that really resonates with everybody. How some people, when making career moves, leave a toxic boss or a harmful culture or
An environment that is so vested in office politics only to find themselves in a similar situation at the new job is like running away from one problem only to land in another. that led us into a bordered discussion on toxic cultures and even the role office politics play in these dynamics.
We also touched on how some leaders or managers might unknowingly struggle with their personality disorders, which can contribute to these environments. Today, we are honing in on office politics specifically. Let's be real, who hasn't faced them? Whether it's subtle power struggles or outright maneuvering is something everyone has encountered.
Yet, when I type office politics into Google, I don't find as much as I expected. Maybe the term isn't as trendy, but that doesn't mean the problem isn't real or common. People might call it power dynamics, workplace dynamics, but the underlying issue is universal. Do you think having a hybrid work model might actually help manage office politics? Or does it make things worse?
On one hand, with less in-person interaction, people aren't constantly grouped together, which might reduce some of the tension that can build in close quarters. It creates a bit of balance. You're not always in the office, so those dynamics don't dominate your entire day. But on the other hand, there's the behind-the-scenes factor.
Those who want to curry favor with the boss could still do it privately in ways others might not even notice. is a different kind of politicking that could still cause issues, just less visibly. I imagine researchers are already looking into this shift and its impact on workplace dynamics. What's your take on how hybrid or remote work influences office politics? Does it shift the balance?
Or do you think human nature finds a way to keep the same patterns alive just in new formats?
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