Kurt Motamedi Quoted on Office Politics in a Hybrid Work Setting for Society for Human Resource Management Article
As workplaces start to reopen, the majority of employees have made it clear they want
to continue to work from home part or full time. In an article in the Society for
Human Resource Management’s Executive Network, Kurt Motamedi, PhD, professor of strategy
and leadership, describes the negative consequences of office politics in a hybrid
and online setting. "Office politics is rooted in gaining personal power and influence.
When you're online, you're no longer socially anchored like when you're in the office
with a social menu where you could express some of your concerns. Zoom is a two-dimensional
form of communication. Informal conversations that happen on the side and nonverbal
communication diminished. It can raise a great deal of anxiety for individuals whether they're
aware of it or not." When an employee's time with leaders and colleagues is truncated,
navigating office politics turns into the challenge of "How can I calibrate myself
to get my way with this organization?" Motamedi said. "We are collaborating and competing
with co-workers at the same time."
The full SHRM article is available here.