# How New Managers Can Navigate Office Politics Without Playing Games

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/how-new-managers-can-navigate-office-politics-without-playing-games
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/how-new-managers-can-navigate-office-politics-without-playing-games.md
Podcast: [New Manager Conversations with Fexingo: First 90 Days, Managing Former Peers, and Leadership Basics](https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636)
Published: 2026-07-07T05:02:48+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/new-manager-conversations/episode-0098.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/new-manager-conversations/episode-0098.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/episodes/how-new-managers-can-navigate-office-politics-without-playing-games
Duration seconds: 548

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the trickiest challenges for new managers: office politics. Using the example of a first-time manager at a mid-sized tech firm who inherited a team with a powerful informal leader, they explore how to map influence networks, build alliances with peers, and protect your team without getting tangled in drama. Lucas shares a specific framework — the 'three-circle map' — for identifying decision-makers, blockers, and connectors in your organization. Luna pushes back on the idea that politics is inherently dirty, arguing that understanding informal power structures is a leadership skill, not a character flaw. They discuss concrete tactics like feeding information upward, giving credit publicly, and choosing battles wisely. The episode closes with a reflection on how new managers can maintain integrity while still playing the game. Perfect for anyone stepping into management who wants to lead effectively without losing themselves. #NewManager #OfficePolitics #LeadershipBasics #First90Days #ManagingPeers #Careers #WorkplaceDynamics #InfluenceMapping #StakeholderManagement #Credibility #TeamTrust #InformalLeaders #NavigatingPolitics #Integrity #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ManagementSkills #WorkplaceStrategy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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