Brown-nosers, backstabbers and saboteurs get shot down and sent straight to hell. Decent professionals who build their careers on talent, diligence and devotion always end up on top, serving as beacons for all who aspire to honest success.

Great dream! Especially for we Chinese who have always put so much emphasis on the straightforward virtues of education, credentials, diligence and character ¡ª and aren¡¯t always rewarded for that predisposition in real life.

The scourge of the professional workplace, office politics, is hated by many people. It is said to encourage hypocrisy, secrecy, deal making, rumours, power brokers, self-interest, image-building, self-promotion and cliques ¡ª not a recipe for effective team work. It destroys our peace of mind and fouls the air with suspicion, resentment and often, outright fear and loathing.

Unfortunately, politics is always a part of organizations so long as people are involved. On one hand, office politics is part of being human. It simply reflects the reality of human nature. For example, people are generally favourably biased towards people they know, like and trust, even when they are trying to be impartial.

On the other hand, the hierarchical structure which largely exists in modern social organizations nurtures office politics. It is also a kind of social dynamics that drives the whole bureaucratic system.

It is unrealistic to opt out in this game. It is also unwise to choose to stay out of any interest group. A loner is easier to manipulate or select as a victim.

The main objective of office politicians is to force everyone in the office to be on their side or risk becoming victimized. It is sheer intimidation, disguised as friendly gossip.

The drawbacks to your career for not having political savvy include: being unpromotable, seen as lacking in common sense, and unworthy of confidences and critical information.

Office politics is a complex stew of power, ambition, control and ego. Winning, if there is such a thing, requires continuous attention to who¡¯s important/not important at any given moment and strategically aligning with the right factions. Mistakes can be fatal to a career.

You may find plenty of suggestions on career advice websites, but the following three points, in my opinion, are most inspiring:

1) Don¡¯t oversell. Be natural. Develop your own style.

A sound personality will give you a degree of immunity from malicious gossip. It is always crucial to cultivate a positive, simple, accurate image and keep the employer¡¯s perspective in mind.

2) Start or join an interest group.

Start an informal group that meets once a week over lunch, after work or simply for a few minutes every day by the coffeemaker. Your little network will keep you from being seen as socially isolated and an easy mark for a manipulator.

3) Be supportive of your peers.

When politics turns out to be inevitable, it should be played in an ethical way. The bottom line here is not to harm the synergy in the workplace. So do be supportive of your peers otherwise you won¡¯t be forgiven.

Remember to learn some political savvy before your ignorance lets you down.