By office politics Im referring to the strategies and tactics people use in the workplace to gain power, influence, and advantage over others. It can be prevalent in almost any organization and can be both helpful and disruptive, depending on how it is used.
In some workplaces I have worked, office politics is a way of life, with employees vying for power and influence over their colleagues, often at the expense of others. This type of environment is highly disruptive, and often leads to negative consequences such as decreased productivity, decreased job satisfaction, and increased turnover.