As we ease into a new year, are you reflecting on what held you back in the last year? For many leaders, “office politics” almost always makes the list. For most professionals, the term triggers frustration: favoritism, hidden agendas, and the sense that only the loudest voices get ahead. For high performers, it creates a painful tension: Do I play the game… or stay quiet and watch my impact stall? But here’s the truth that often gets missed: What we call “office politics” is