Yesterday, I saw a post on LinkedIn that said, “When things feel political, put your head down, do great work, and make everyone else look good.” The author’s point was that in good companies, political players will eventually self-destruct.

I agreed with the core idea, but the reality is more complicated. My own comment on the post got attention because it resonated with many people:

In bad companies, it can be standing at a crossroads while staying true to oneself and balancing the political game. The best is to move on, if one can afford to. It takes courage and experience to put one’s values on top, learn to trust your gut feeling, and realize it’s important to stay true to yourself.

My comment was about more than just staying at a company. It was about recognizing when to engage, when to walk away, and how to maintain your integrity in the process.

The Fine Line Between Influence and Inauthenticity

Sometimes, you do have to “play the game” to get things done. This might mean making a colleague feel like an idea was theirs to get their buy-in, or adjusting your communication style to better connect with a key stakeholder. This is less about playing politics and more about influence. It’s about working with others and finding allies who share your vision.

The danger, though, is when you cross the line from influencing to inauthenticity. I experienced this myself early in an extended role. I was new and had to quickly adapt to a lot of change. I had some internal support, but I unknowingly started to adopt the leadership style of someone else.

It took me a while to realize it, but once I did, I had to take a step back. I decided to get my authenticity back and not trade it for anything. I’ve seen others completely change their working styles to please someone just to “stay in the game,” but I’ve never been able to do it myself. I’ve always chosen to stay true to who I am.

Holding the Helm in Your Own Way

My personal leadership philosophy is simple: hold the helm when the sea is not calm. 

This idea applies directly to navigating the political landscape at work. You can learn from others how they hold the helm, how they lead, influence, and get things done. But when the storm hits, you are the one at the forefront. You have to hold the helm in a way that fits you best, in a way that feels natural and true to your values. You can’t hold it like someone else, no matter how “mighty” they may seem.

It takes courage and experience to listen to your gut and trust your own values, even when it feels like everyone else is playing a different game. The truth is, when you are the person everyone can rely on, the one who does great work without sacrificing their integrity, you’re not playing a game at all. You’re building a reputation based on trust and respect, and that’s a strategy that will always win in the end.