[BeetleB]

> I agree with your description of "politics" as a negative/pejorative thing.

That's just a difference in framing between winners and losers.

If you get your way, you say it was due to influence, bridge building, teamwork, etc.

If you don't, you say "politics".

For every occasion someone says "politics" negatively, realize the other party is using the other framing.

More importantly: For every time you get your way, the other party is saying "Politics!"

[ryandrake]

The way I see it is: "Office politics" means getting work done, making business decisions, and/or advancing your career using means other than technical or domain expertise. It could have a good or bad outcome, but it's still politics. The key attribute is that the outcome is achieved through some other method besides actually doing or directing the work.

[BeetleB]

> "Office politics" means getting work done, making business decisions, and/or advancing your career using means other than technical or domain expertise.

s/other than/in addition to/

That's the fundamental disagreement in this thread.

[mlrtime]

But nobody actually says that. I've not once heard anyone say politics in a positive term when it comes to the work environment.

I agree in principle, but this whole topic needs some definitions so we're all on the same terms. "Politics" can have several different meanings.

[immibis]

Isn't directing work also a form of politics?

[rkomorn]

I think that's a very valid take, actually.