97: How to Navigate Office Politics & Lead Ethically with Niven Postma

Welcome to Episode 97 of "Brain Box - The Leadership Podcast"! In this insightful conversation, host Kaushik is joined by Niven Postma, a globally recognized expert in leadership, organizational politics, and culture. Niven has held executive positions since the age of 29, including CEO of the Business Women’s Association of South Africa, and is the author of "If You Don’t Do Politics, Politics Will Do You".In this episode, Niven shares her journey from being “allergic” to office politics to becoming a leading voice on the subject. She unpacks the myths and realities of organizational politics, discusses how leaders can navigate power and influence ethically, and offers practical advice for thriving in today’s complex workplaces - including hybrid and remote environments. Whether you’re a new manager, a seasoned executive, or simply interested in understanding the hidden dynamics of organizations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples. Plus, Niven shares her thoughts on psychological safety, tough empathy, and the critical role of culture in shaping leadership success. Subscribe to our newsletter & get more valuable insights straight to your inbox: https://www.brainbox.net.in/gurukulTimestamps:00:01 – Introduction to Niven Postma00:25 – Niven’s background and leadership journey00:47 – Why focus on organizational politics?01:46 – Book, lectures, and PhD01:53 – Are there organizations without politics?02:20 – The spectrum of organizational politics03:51 – AI and the future of organizational politics04:40 – Leadership and unavoidable politics05:16 – Navigating politics ethically05:45 – Redefining office politics06:34 – Positive and negative sides of politics07:53 – Using politics as a crutch08:22 – Missed opportunities in leadership09:09 – Sponsor message09:42 – Getting things done vs. selling your soul11:11 – Adapting leadership strategies to environments13:10 – Tough empathy in leadership14:37 – Psychological safety and leadership16:24 – Sponsor message16:48 – Hybrid work and organizational politics18:24 – Advice for leaders in hybrid settings18:59 – Changing organizational culture19:54 – Final advice for navigating new organizations20:34 – Closing thoughts & outro Niven's LinkedIn course: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/navigating-organizational-politics-as-a-senior-leader/navigate-organizational-politics #Leadership #OrganizationalPolitics #NivenPostma #BrainBoxPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #OfficePolitics #CorporateCulture #HybridWork #WomenInLeadership #EthicalLeadership #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #CareerAdvice #branding #marketing #sales #outreach #salestraining #pr #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #personalbranding #officepolitics