- For software engineers, 'playing politics' does not involve scheming or making power plays; instead, it means understanding the organizational power dynamics to avoid pitfalls and align with company values.
- Key principles include: being aware of who holds power (typically senior management), avoiding making powerful enemies, helping powerful people proactively, and ensuring your contributions are visible to them.
- To navigate politics effectively: prioritize important projects, respond promptly to powerful individuals, support their narratives discreetly, and use technical expertise to influence implementation details without challenging grand strategies.
- Making powerful enemies can be career-ending, so it's crucial to pick battles wisely and disagree privately and politely, while quitting may be necessary if a senior leader dislikes you.
- Playing politics is ultimately about leveraging your role as a supportive contributor, not a decision-maker, to gain influence and protect your career within the company's existing structure.