These are the negative and stereotypical examples that help give office politics a bad name. Certainly, there are many unethical and unprofessional ways to be political, said Marilyn Puder-York, a psychologist and executive coach based in the New York area and author of “The Office Survival Guide.” When it is done ethically, though, no one loses, and you’ve “enhanced your reputation with the right people,” she said.
To Dr. Puder-York, office politics is a balance between cooperation and competition. There are times when it causes harm and dysfunction, and other times when it motivates and inspires employees, enhancing productivity and creativity, she said.