“I’d Rather Quit Than Play Politics”
We were sitting in a noisy, bustling restaurant near Church Street, Bangalore, where the aroma of sambar, crispy dosas, and freshly ground coconut chutney filled the air. A steaming hot South Indian meal was being served on a large banana leaf, and as we poured ghee over our rice, my client—a senior leader in a global IT firm—shook her head in frustration.
“If it comes to that, I’d rather quit and sit at home doing nothing than yield to politics.”
She was sharp, accomplished, and principled. But the very mention of ‘organizational politics’ made her uncomfortable, even angry.
Her perspective wasn’t uncommon. Many senior leaders in large Indian organizations, especially those who rise on the merit of their hard work and technical expertise, see workplace politics beneath them—a game played by those lacking real skills.
She continued, “I believe in performance. Why should I have to navigate alliances and power plays when my work should speak for itself?”
She, like many leaders I’ve worked with, saw organizational politics as manipulative, unethical, and beneath her stature. For her, success should come from merit, competence, and hard work—not backroom deals or whispered alignments.
I respected her conviction, but I also knew this mindset was limiting her ability to create a real impact.
I took a sip of my hot sambar in a cup and replied:
“What if politics wasn’t about personal gain, but about influence, alignment, and ensuring the right decisions happen? What if you could engage without compromising your integrity?”
She frowned, stirring the ghee into her steaming rice, her expression one of quiet defiance.
“But isn’t that exactly what politics is?” she challenged. “Twisting things in your favor? I’ve seen it—people playing games, forming cliques, pushing their own agenda. That’s not who I am.”
I nodded, letting her words settle between us, the hum of the crowded restaurant filling the silence.
“I get it,” I said finally. “You see politics as a game of manipulation, where people with less competence outmaneuver those with real talent. But tell me this—have you ever had a great idea that didn’t get the buy-in it deserved?”
She sighed, her shoulders tensing. “Of course. More times than I can count.”
“And why do you think that happened?” I asked, leaning forward slightly.
She hesitated, then admitted, “Because I didn’t push for it. I thought the idea was strong enough to stand on its own.”
I smiled. “Exactly. The best ideas don’t always win—the ideas that are championed, aligned with key stakeholders, and communicated effectively do. That’s politics too, but done with integrity.”
She shook her head, unconvinced. “I just don’t want to waste my energy playing these power games.”
I sipped my sambar again and let the heat warm my throat before replying. “Think of it this way—if you don’t engage in the conversation, who will?”
She looked at me, puzzled.
“Let’s say there’s a big decision being made. If you refuse to engage in those discussions, if you step away from the table, who fills that space? Probably someone else—someone who may not have the same vision, values, or depth of expertise that you do.”
She exhaled sharply, picking at the edge of the banana leaf. “So you’re saying that by avoiding politics, I’m actually giving more power to the wrong people?”
“Not just power, but influence over the direction of the organization,” I said. “You’re letting others dictate outcomes you care about. Staying out of politics isn’t noble—it’s self-sabotage.”
She fell silent for a moment, the weight of my words settling in. Then, slowly, she asked, “But how do I do it without losing myself in it?”
I smiled. “By shifting your perspective. Politics doesn’t have to be about manipulation—it can be about alignment. It’s about understanding who influences decisions, how to build credibility, and how to communicate in a way that moves people towards the right outcomes.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I never thought about it like that.”
The Politics Reframe: From Manipulation to Influence
Many leaders equate politics with dirty maneuvering, but in reality, politics is about influence, stakeholder alignment, and strategic decision-making. Leaders who master this skill drive meaningful change—not by being cunning, but by being strategic and principled.
Think of Indra Nooyi (former CEO, PepsiCo)—she didn’t just have brilliant ideas; she ensured her ideas gained buy-in across global teams, regulators, and shareholders. That’s high-integrity politics at work.
Or consider Arundhati Bhattacharya (former Chairperson, SBI)—navigating complex banking reforms in a traditionally male-dominated sector required strategic relationship-building, resilience, and stakeholder management.
Would we call their leadership manipulative? No—we call it visionary influence.
The Real Cost of Avoiding Politics
I posed a simple question to my client:
“If you don’t engage in stakeholder dynamics, who benefits? Who loses?”
Avoiding politics doesn’t mean you rise above the noise—it often means you lose the ability to shape outcomes.
“The decisions still happen, the power plays still exist, but you have no seat at the table.”
Great ideas don’t automatically win. Leaders must champion them, navigate resistance, and build coalitions.
Look at Gita Gopinath (IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director)—she doesn’t avoid complex negotiations; she engages to shape global financial policies with clarity and conviction.
A High-Integrity Approach to Politics
I shared with her a simple playbook:
- Clarify Intent – Engage not for self-gain, but for organizational good.
- Build Alliances – Not secret deals, but authentic relationships.
- Master Stakeholder Navigation – Understand who influences key decisions.
- Communicate with Impact – Ensure your voice is heard where it matters.
- Maintain Integrity – Influence without manipulation.
Then, I asked: “Would you be open to learning how to navigate influence without compromising your values?”
She paused. For the first time, she saw ‘politics’ as leadership—not as a moral compromise.
The Leadership Takeaway
High-impact leadership isn’t about avoiding politics—it’s about engaging with purpose, integrity, and strategy.
As we finished our meal, she looked at me and said, “Maybe it’s not politics I hate. Maybe it’s the way I’ve seen it done.”
I smiled. “That’s the shift. Politics, done right, is just another word for leadership.”
What do you think? Have you ever struggled with this dilemma? How do you approach influence in leadership?
Let’s discuss.
