#25 Understanding Workplace Dynamics: Navigate Power Structures with Ease

Have you ever felt frustrated because it seems like decisions at work are made behind closed doors, or you’re not sure how to align yourself with key players? In this episode, we dive deep into understanding the formal and informal power structures that influence how things get done in the workplace. You’ll learn how to observe workplace dynamics, identify key influencers, and strategically position yourself to build authentic relationships—all without compromising your values. Whether you want to move up in your career or simply navigate your workplace more effectively, this episode will give you the tools to decode workplace power structures and use that knowledge to your advantage.

Transcript

Hello there, and welcome back to Wise Women’s Workplace! I’m Anita Belitz, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s really critical for anyone looking to move up in their career: understanding workplace dynamics and navigating power structures.

Every organization has its own power structure — formal and informal - and this influences the workplace dynamics and how people align themselves and behave in the structure. And while this may seem competitive and manipulative, it doesn’t have to be. 

So this episode will be about how to identify workplace dynamics, how to recognize who has influence, and how to strategically position yourself to be at the right place at the right time, all while maintaining your integrity.

I will admit that this is a topic that I used to really dislike. I somehow equated workplace dynamics to what most people would call workplace politics because I felt it was about being manipulative and playing games, and, to be honest, about some people being bullies. But over time I realized that if we consider workplace dynamics a kind of game that people play, then it is really the players who determine what kind of “game” is going to be played. And, although sometimes it still does feel manipulative and like people are working the system, it doesn’t always have to be that way and you don't have to be that way. 

So what are workplace dynamics? At the core, it’s about power and authority and how they affect interactions and decisions, And we want to think about our behavior in view of all of that.

If that already feels a little manipulative, I want to invite you to keep an open mind. After all, if you think about it, it’s very much human nature to be influenced and swayed by people that we know, like, and trust. It’s natural to listen to - or think of - people that we know when we need to make a decision or need some support, because we believe that they can help us, we know something about their skills or maybe about their behavior, and we feel like we can trust them.   

What I’m trying to say is that it’s normal that we lean into our relationships at work when we need something and IF WE don’t have relationships at work - especially with decision makers and influencers - then there’s a good chance that they aren’t thinking about us when they need that help. And that’s a problem. We want people to know what we do in our work, what we’re capable of doing, that we’re reliable and trustworthy, and that we’re willing to help. And because you’re likely authentic and don’t try to manipulate people, and are likely more modest, or don’t want to be seen as not “staying in your lane”, you may be missing out on developing these important relationships. 

So let’s talk about how we can build those relationships and still be true to ourselves and our values and still be well placed to get ahead at work. 

So let’s talk about the first step to navigating power dynamics: observation. Of course it’s important to look at the organization chart and identify key roles — but you need to pay attention to the informal structures as well.

So where do you start? Well, here are some key things to figure out:

1. Think about: Who has influence?
   Influence doesn’t always follow the chain of command. Notice: Who do people turn to for advice or who gets the final say in meetings, even if they don’t have the highest title? Sometimes, the most influential person is a longtime employee or someone who has built strong relationships across departments, and sometimes it is a “hot shot” new recruit that everyone wants to get close to. Look for the natural leaders around you, even if they aren’t in the formal leadership positions. 
2. Also, Take notice of: How decisions are made.
   There may be formal processes in place for decision making but often it feels like the rules are thrown out the window for everyday work. Try to figure out if everything is decided in formal meetings, or are there conversations happening informally before the meeting, to influence what is going to happen in the meeting? If you just start to observe how people interact outside of formal settings—this can give you valuable insights into the sometimes hidden decision-making process. Often body language or facial expressions in a meeting will give you insight into who has been involved in the discussions outside of the meeting. If you’ve ever been in a meeting and a decision went a completely different way than expected, this is usually because of the lobbying and preparation that has been done in advance of the meeting. Again, this can be a negative thing but it can also just be part of the work culture that you are operating in, so it’s best if you at least understand what’s happening. 
3. Ask yourself: What are the unspoken rules?
   Every workplace has its own unwritten rules about how things get done. These can include anything from how projects are prioritized to who gets invited to key discussions. TBH, It can be very frustrating because these are often the “rules” that are not only unspoken but are hidden and nobody really wants to talk about. Like why nobody challenges a boss for what seems like unfounded decisions or when you feel like it is obvious someone is bending the rules, everyone knows it and nobody says anything about it. While this can be very frustrating and annoying, especially because people will talk about it behind the scenes but in a more formal setting people act like it doesn’t really exist. But they usually do exist, you aren’t imagining it, and it does have an impact on how things are done.  So, pay attention to these subtle cues and unwritten practices —they will help you better understand how to navigate your workplace. 

By understanding who the influencers are, figuring out how decisions are made and being aware of the unspoken rules that are in play, you will be able to understand how the game of influence happens in your workplace. 

So now that you’ve identified some of the power dynamics in your organization you need to make sure to position yourself strategically with your organization. This isn’t about manipulation—it’s about understanding your company’s “power landscape” and aligning your efforts with the right people and efforts (or projects). 

How can you do this in a way that aligns with your values, you ask? Well, first you have to know for yourself what values are the most important to you. Integrity, professionalism, fairness, kindness, or even something else? Identifying which ones are the most important for you is important so that they can become your guiding light when you think about the following suggestions to get strategic about your work and get ahead in a way which aligns with your values and career aspirations.  

1. One way is to : Align your work with company priorities.
   Pay attention to what’s most important to the company right now. Are there strategic initiatives that leadership is focusing on? Find ways to align your work with those priorities. When your contributions directly support the company’s goals, you’re more likely to be recognized and valued. And then make sure when you are giving updates to your superiors that you are helping them to connect the dots about how your work is contributing to that goal. This one really just makes good sense - you should definitely be working on things that help move the needle forward for your company, even if you just think you are doing administrative work…
2. Another way to position yourself strategically is to: Be consistent and reliable.
   The most important factor in positioning yourself is consistency. Show up, deliver on your commitments, and be reliable. People notice when you consistently perform well, and that builds your credibility over time. I always sign off with reminding you to be mindful and to take deliberate action every day. This is because it is one of the most important yet simplest ways to get ahead. It isnt always easy, but it is simple in the sense that you have to give it thought and then act on those thoughts. If we aren’t deliberate, we are likely acting a bit random or at least inefficiently. And most people are not consistent nor reliable - so even being a little bit better on that front will make a difference, and that adds up over time. Plus, we have no excuses when it comes to consistency and reliability as we are the ones who control our actions for both consistency and reliability - so make this a priority! 
3. And finally, to position yourself strategically, start to Leverage your relationships.
   Get deliberate about who you are interacting with. You only have so much time at work to allow yourself to NOT be focused on key tasks. If you want to get ahead in your career, you need to have the right balance between social conversations with colleagues and using that time to get to know and to get closer to the key influencers. If you don’t, you will have a harder time to get ahead, so don’t leave this to chance. 

Please don’t manipulate people, of course, but having allies who support your ideas and advocate for you can make all the difference when it comes to getting buy-in for your projects or ideas or even promotions. So make sure to be deliberate about your interactions. Here, be careful to Support way more than you request! Provide support as much as possible to bank good will and appreciation, and reserve those requests for when you really are going to need them!

Knowing what is important for your organization’s goals and being deliberate about working on contributing to these goals just makes good sense. And working on those strategic projects will likely put you in contact with some of the key influences. This will allow you to build those important relationships at work. And although it takes time and effort, if you are authentic and you are supportive of those around you, it will make a difference over time. Doing this consistently and being reliable in those interactions will help you to move the needle forward bit by bit until it allows you to really make a big difference. And when the time is right and when there is an opportunity to move ahead, you will be better positioned to be the one chosen for that project or promotion. 

Once you’ve started observing who has influence, you’ve assured that you are aligned with the company’s goals and have a solid reputation for working to a high standard, have started to work to get closer to the influencers, the next step is building relationships with those key influencers. And no, I don’t mean networking in a transactional, inauthentic way - Again, I’m talking about building genuine relationships based on mutual respect and appreciation. Like I said, It makes sense that if someone doesn’t know who you are nor the work that you do, they are not going tobe able to recommend you or turn to you for help. 

So here’s how to start building meaningful relationships:

1. The first move If you want to build relationships: be visible and speak up.
   If you’re always working behind the scenes, it’s easy to go unnoticed. Make sure you’re contributing in meetings, sharing your ideas, and being visible at the right times. Don’t be afraid to speak up—your contributions matter, and they help build your presence in the organization. Just make sure you are being tactical about speaking up - make it matter. Don’t just talk to talk - make sure you are adding something to the conversation.  
2. Then, make sure to be helpful and provide value.
   One of the best ways to build relationships is by being helpful. Find ways to assist the key influencers on projects, share insights that might benefit them, or offer support when they need it. Over time, these small acts build trust. Just be supportive and friendly - and keep it natural. The first connection is usually the hardest to make happen, but after that things go much smoother because you have already met one another and have a shared experience. 
3. and above all else, especially if you hate office politics, be authentic.
   Building relationships doesn’t mean you have to change who you are or put on a show. Authenticity is key to building trust. Be yourself and focus on creating connections that are genuine and mutually beneficial. Take opportunities as they arise in the right contexts If you go at it with the intention of really getting to know the influencer as a person and you don’t worry about the politics of it, you should be fine. It’s important that you bring the right intention to the activity if you want it to go well.    

By building authentic relationships with key influencers, by providing them with valuable information and support, you’ll be better positioned to contribute to important conversations and decisions—and you’ll become someone who others look to for insight and guidance. 

If you can’t identify the influencers and they can’t identify you, then it will be next to impossible to build those relationships and when it comes down to important situations, you will be left waiting to hear what happens instead of being part of the deciding team. 

So you see, understanding the workplace dynamics is important and navigating those power structures isn’t as hard as you might imagine. And, it IS critical for positioning yourself for success, but it takes observation, relationship-building, and strategic alignment to make it worthwhile.

Again, here are the main points to remember:

1. Take time to Observe workplace power structures: Pay attention to who holds influence, how decisions are made, and what the unspoken rules are in your workplace. It’s not just about formal titles—it’s about understanding who really drives decisions.
2. Make sure you are always Positioning yourself strategically: Align your work with company priorities, leverage your relationships, and be consistent in your performance. These strategies will help you stand out and ensure that your contributions are recognized.
3. Then work on Building relationships with key influencers: Find ways to offer value, be visible, and stay authentic when building relationships with influential people in your organization. These connections will help position you as a trusted resource.

By applying these strategies, you’ll gain a better understanding of how your workplace operates, you’ll position yourself closer to the key influencers, and you’ll set yourself up for greater success and influence!

I hope today’s episode has helped you start thinking differently about how power and influence work in your organization. Remember, knowledge is power, and the more you understand about workplace dynamics, the better positioned you’ll be to make informed decisions that advance your career.

This week, I encourage you to start observing how things really work in your organization at different levels of the hierarchy. Who holds the most influence? How are decisions made? What are the unspoken rules? The answers to these questions will help you navigate your workplace with confidence.

In the next episode we will talk about how to Building Credibility: How to Earn Trust and Become a Go-To Team Member.

As always, if you want a career and life that makes you happy, be mindful of what you’re doing and take deliberate actions every day. Don’t just survive—take steps to thrive! I look forward to speaking with you again soon. Until next time, may you be healthy, wealthy, and wise!