Workplace politics: it is the unspoken game everyone plays, whether they admit it or not. It’s the silent force that drives promotions, shapes careers, and determines who gets the spotlight.
But there’s a controversial question that few are brave enough to ask: “Who rises faster in the workplace—the hardworking employee, or the boss’s favourite?” The answer might surprise you—and it certainly challenges the common belief that hard work alone is the key to success.
Let’s get one thing clear: hard work is crucial. Without a strong work ethic, talent, and dedication, you’ll struggle to stay afloat in any career. However, the bitter truth is this: even the most diligent, skilled, and committed employee might find themselves stuck in the same position for years.
Why? Because, in the modern workplace, it’s not always about what you do; it’s about who sees what you do, who you know, who you align with, and how your bosses perceive you.
The Misconception of “Hard Work Speaks for Itself”
For years, we’ve been told that “hard work speaks for itself”. Though that should have been the case, it is not true. Hard work DOESN’T speak for itself, unfortunately. You have to speak it up and amplify it yourself.
This position aligns closely with the Holy Bible quotation in Matthew 5.15 that “…neither do men light a candle (work hard) and put it under a bushel (keep the hard work in secret) but on a candlestick (talk about the hard work enough), and giveth it light unto all that are in the house (for everybody to see)”.
The general belief is that if you work hard, put in the hours, and produce exceptional results, success and recognition will naturally follow. After all, shouldn’t merit and dedication be enough to secure a promotion, gain respect, or advance professionally? Unfortunately, the harsh truth is that, in many cases, hard work does not speak for itself—at least not in the way we think it should.
In reality, hard work, while absolutely essential, is not always sufficient to ensure career progress. The workplace is more complex than simply showing up and doing your job. The truth is, the workplace is often a stage where relationships, visibility, and politics play a significant role in who gets noticed and who gets ahead.
Simply doing your work well is often not enough to stand out in an environment where influence, power, and networking are equally as important. Employees who work hard but fail to build connections, or whose work goes unnoticed by decision-makers, are often overlooked in favour of those who have mastered the art of aligning themselves with the right people.
This misunderstanding can be especially disheartening for early career professionals who believe their performance will automatically lead to recognition and rewards. They may be left frustrated and disillusioned when their efforts aren’t acknowledged, while others who seem to do less or play the game more effectively move ahead.
The fact is, success at work is often determined by a combination of hard work and how well you market your efforts, build relationships, and position yourself within the power structures of your organisation. In a world where perceptions matter as much as performance, hard work alone doesn’t guarantee success.
The Hidden Power of Workplace Politics
There’s no denying that workplaces are more than just places where we do our jobs—they are ecosystems of power, influence, and relationships. People rise not just because of their technical abilities but because they’ve mastered the art of going about the work environment.
That means understanding who holds the power, how decisions are made, and how to make yourself indispensable to those who can help you climb the corporate ladder. It’s about who notices your efforts, who champions you, and who’s willing to recommend you when the time comes.
Unfortunately, this reality is often at odds with the image of the “hardworking employee” who expects that diligence and perseverance will automatically lead to promotion. This hardworking ideal is deeply ingrained in the minds of many ambitious professionals, particularly those in the early stages of their careers.
Yet, for all their effort, many of these individuals will find themselves overlooked, passed over for promotions, or sidelined in favour of those who are more politically savvy. You can be the most talented person in the room, but if you fail to build the right relationships or if you lack the visibility that your colleagues enjoy, you’ll remain stagnant.
The Boss’s Favourite – A Shortcut to Success?
Hmmmm! The boss’s favourite might not be the hardest worker or the most skilled employee, but they’re often the one who rises the fastest. The reason for this? They’ve cracked the code of office politics.
These employees know how to ingratiate themselves with the right people, particularly those in positions of power. Whether it’s through subtle flattery, always aligning themselves with the boss’s views, or simply being in the right place at the right time, they make sure they’re noticed. They know how to position themselves as indispensable to the decision-makers, and as a result, they get promoted faster.
Does that seem unfair? It should. But here’s the kicker: this “favouritism” is not necessarily a sign of meritocracy failing. It’s a sign of workplace reality. Most businesses operate based on relationships, influence, and the ability to get things done through collaboration—whether that’s genuine collaboration or simply the appearance of it.
The employee who knows how to play the game gets ahead, while the one who assumes that results speak for themselves often gets left behind. It’s not about the work you do, it’s about the relationships you build—and the way you leverage them.
The Dark Side of Workplace Politics
Now, let me make it clearer. I am not suggesting that the boss’s favourite is a malicious character. In fact, some may be genuinely talented, but they’re also simply more attuned to the needs of the people who control their fate at the workplace.
However, there’s an undeniable truth to the fact that workplace politics can often reward manipulation over merit, especially in Ghana here. You’ll see employees who constantly kiss the ass of the boss, take credit for other people’s work, and strategically align themselves with the right people at the right time, often promoted while the quiet, hardworking employee is left in the dust. It’s not about how hard you work or how well you do your job; it’s about how well you play the game.
In some toxic workplaces, this can create an atmosphere of distrust and anger. Employees who feel their efforts are being ignored or undermined might find themselves disengaged or demotivated. They begin to wonder if their dedication to doing their job well even matters.
And frankly, for many, it doesn’t—at least not in the short-term. In such environment, the hardworking employee might work themselves to the bone while the boss’s favourite reaps the rewards. This creates an unhealthy culture where only the most strategically savvy (or lucky) employees get promoted, while others are left wondering where they went wrong.
Playing the Game with Integrity
The good news is that, the game can be played with integrity. Should we all start manipulating, compromising and bootlicking our way to the top? Absolutely NOT. Playing dirty is never the answer. The difference between the successful boss’s favourite and the manipulative office schemer is how they go about building their relationships. Playing the game isn’t about dishonesty or deceit—it’s about aligning yourself with the right people and demonstrating your value in ways that go beyond just showing up and doing your job.
The truth is, workplace politics can be played ethically. It’s about positioning yourself as someone who adds value, someone who is reliable, someone who understands how to communicate effectively with those who can influence your career.
Playing the game doesn’t mean betraying your values or cutting corners; it means recognising that relationships, communication, and visibility matter just as much as the work you produce.
You have to play it smart, not dirty. Because the colleagues that you play dirty against, spoke down on, betrayed and backstabbed just to rise, you may need them eventually. Therefore, you need to understand the political dynamics within your company and use them to your advantage, without resorting to manipulation or deceit.
The Unseen Power of Networking
It’s also crucial to recognise the importance of networking. Many hardworking employees tend to underestimate the power of a good network. Networking isn’t just about attending events or exchanging business cards and taking pictures with the bosses—it’s about building genuine relationships, finding mentors, and positioning yourself where you can be seen and heard by those who matter. A good network can open doors that hard work alone cannot.
In fact, the most successful employees often have robust networks of allies across various departments, each helping to elevate their career in subtle but meaningful ways. Networking helps you build the connections that make your work visible, ensuring that your contributions don’t go unnoticed. It’s not just about what you do; it’s about who knows what you do and how they perceive you.
Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway here? The key to fast-tracking your career lies combining hard work with the strategic acumen of workplace politics. Recognise that workplace dynamics are just as important as your technical skills.
Take time to build relationships, learn how to communicate (even your disagreements), and align yourself with the right people. Hard work is vital, but it’s not a guarantee of success. It’s the combination of hard work and smart alignments that propels you forward.
It’s time to stop pretending that hard work alone will get you ahead. It’s not just about putting your head down and focusing on the task at hand—it’s about positioning yourself in a way that others notice, and ensuring that your contributions are valued. If you’re not engaging in workplace politics, you’re playing the game with one hand tied behind your back.
In the real world, the hardworking employee might be left behind, while the boss’s favourite rises through the ranks. The lesson here isn’t that hard work doesn’t matter, but that to truly succeed, you need to play the game—not just work through it. Play smart, not dirty. It’s time to recognise that the workplace is a political arena, and if you want to rise, you need to play your part.
Thank you for reading today’s episode. Continue to follow the insightful articles I share on this page.
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Writer: Daniel Fenyi
The writer is a licensed counselor, educationist, professional writer and career coach who guides young people through his writings. You can reach him via email [email protected]
