I’m smart, get things done, self motivated. however I’ve hit career ceilings because I’m incapable of schmoozing, playing office politics, aligning myself with people who can boost my career. It’s just not in me. But I haven’t come to terms with it. Every time I go on LinkedIn, I see some idiot I used to work with has been promoted or jumped ship to some very senior role and it kills me inside because I know that I’m far more capable and yet will never make the same money.

likehelpful
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Unfortunately playing politics is also a capability. Be true to yourself and keep working harder.

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Being “incapable of playing office politics” is a limiting belief

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Pls fix. Thx.

funnylike

I think I have struggled with this as well. I have recently learned it’s less about people skills and schmoozing as it is visibility of your competence and good work. People who are really good at self prompting go far because people are biased to what they see.

helpfullike

“Playing politics” consists of very similar skills needed to sell consulting work. This is a people business - it’s not just about output. People need to feel that you can help them succeed in their own goals, that you take their fears/wants to heart, that you can be relied upon.

For many, you just need to find the right team - then the “politics” part takes care of itself (feeling connected, engaged, and recognized as a key team member who can help everyone grow)

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The consensus is that those “skillsets” are nothing to look down upon, and critical to succeed beyond a certain level. You might want to re-evaluate your virtuous position. In my experience, it helps when you frame it as critical skills, than something dirty

likesmart

You may need to reframe what you're calling office politics. It sounds as if others may see you as a bit prickly or difficult to be around personally (even if you're fab at your job), blaming office politics when in fact it may just be the social networking which makes it easier to engage with others. Try a bit of schmoozing - not too much - you might even enjoy it if it gets you where you want to be!

To clarify - I fully recognize that being good at office politics and all that is a skill, an important skill. It’s not that I choose not to play. It’s that I was not built for playing. The issue is I that while I recognize I have this limitation, I haven’t accepted it.

Suck it up or start your own company. It’s not that hard. Be likeable and good at your job.

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In the same boat. Simple fix to this is to jump ship to a more senior role ever few yrs, you will always progress in your career.

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