Turning toxic politics into purpose

A king once set out to tour his kingdom with an assistant. In the very first village they visited, they discovered that water and ghee were being sold at the same price. The assistant, dazzled by this rare chance, decided to stay back and indulge while the king continued his journey. Weeks later, on his return, the king was stunned to see a crowd gathered in the same place. At the centre was his assistant, now bloated from endless feasting, about to be executed. The real criminal had been too thin for the noose, so the villagers decided that the assistant was the perfect substitute. What once seemed like comfort and security had turned into punishment.

This story reflects a sobering reality of corporate life. Those who overindulge in short-term benefits such as flattery, gossip, or opportunistic alliances may enjoy a temporary edge but are often the first to be sacrificed when accountability is demanded. In many organisations, the assistant's fate is a metaphor for scapegoating in the name of politics.

Politics in offices is not an occasional distraction. It is often the invisible current that determines promotions, recognition, and even survival. Many competent employees, frustrated by this, try to stay away altogether, assuming that quiet hard work will be enough. Yet disengagement rarely offers protection. Like the assistant who thought ghee was his safe haven, professionals who withdraw from politics often end up isolated, overlooked, and vulnerable when the blame game begins.

Joseph Grenny, in his widely read piece "Yes, You Can Make Office Politics Less Toxic", reminds us that politics thrives in secrecy but weakens when confronted with openness and integrity. This is a crucial lesson for our workplaces, where complaints are often whispered in corridors, frustrations are aired at tea breaks, but few dare to address issues in the room where decisions are made. Such silence strengthens the very toxicity we despise. By avoiding the discomfort of honest dialogue, we become complicit in perpetuating unhealthy cultures.

At the same time, politics does not always have to be destructive. Madeleine Wyatt and Elena Doldor, in "Office Politics Don't Have to Be Toxic", argue that when reframed positively, politics can become a tool for inclusion and growth. The act of building relationships, nurturing mentorship, and widening access to networks can shift politics from exclusion to empowerment. In environments where young professionals, women, and those without established ties often find doors closed, healthy politics can open pathways and create fairness.

Shifting in this direction requires deliberate action. Leaders must normalise openness by explaining decisions clearly and encouraging accountability. They should extend networks beyond familiar circles and avoid rewarding only loyalty or flattery. Senior professionals, instead of portraying success as a purely individual achievement, should share how mentorship, alliances, and guidance shaped their journeys. Such honesty destigmatises politics and reframes it as a legitimate leadership skill.

The ghee folktale is not just a tale of foolish indulgence but a lesson in foresight. Chasing quick wins through gossip or opportunism may feel rewarding in the moment, but it leaves professionals exposed when real scrutiny arrives. The wiser approach is to recognise politics as a reality of organisational life and engage with it consciously, not as a game of manipulation but as a practice of influence anchored in integrity.

Politics will never disappear from our offices, nor should it. What matters is whether it remains a toxic undercurrent or evolves into a catalyst for trust, fairness, and progress. At a time when institutions are under pressure to prove credibility and when organisations must compete in a global arena, leaders cannot afford to let politics remain a liability. If it can be transformed into a constructive force, then instead of producing scapegoats fattened on ghee, we will nurture professionals who can carry the weight of responsibility with wisdom and courage. That is the kind of politics that can redefine our workplaces and reinforce the very foundations of our institutions for years to come.

The writer is the president of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh and founder of BuildCon Consultancies Ltd