The Mole ep 3

I know that you would love to hear what happens here every day after all isn’t tea best served hot?
I am sorry for the disappointment. Most of the time, there’s so much going on that it’s hard to filter through and find the perfect nugget to share. It’s not about withholding one side of the story or playing coy; it’s just that… well, you get it, right?

Last week, someone asked me, “Karis, how do you survive the office politics? I mean, you’re like a mole—always getting the right people to align with you, especially your boss, with Sandie…”

First, let me clarify: no one truly aligns with me—at least not loyally. People are here for what only I can bring to the table. That’s the truth I made peace with early on. The ability to navigate two sides and walk away unscathed? That’s a kind of power.

The Secret Sauce: Information

Here’s the thing: know what people want, and have it in abundance. In this case, the currency is information. Information is the lifeblood of any organization. And grapevine, gossip? That’s the spice.

If you’ve watched Dune, you know what I’m talking about. Managers crave insights into what the “mice in the holes” think, while those same mice are dying to know what the “big cats” are planning. Sorry for the vivid imagery, but you get it, right? So, gather it all—and share just enough to keep people coming back for more. If teams are the pistons of a locomotive, gossip is the juice that keeps them running.

Befriend the Unseen

Most people gravitate toward the popular crowd—the sharp thinkers, the tech gurus, the trendsetters. But here’s the kicker: the underdogs, the ones in the shadows, often wield surprising influence.

It’s not the superstars who whisper in the boss’s ear about the company’s mood or challenges; it’s the quieter ones, the “unseen,” who shape perspectives behind the scenes. Crazy, right?

My pastor once said, “The spiritual always controls the physical.” Maybe there’s some truth to that here. Love the underdogs—but not too much. Keep them close enough to stay grounded but maintain enough ties with the high-ups to stay relevant.

Go, Shine.

So, there you have it: the art of surviving and thriving in office politics. Know what people want, share strategically, and respect the unseen forces at play.

Now go out there, shine in your office, and successfully navigate the minefield that is workplace politics. I bless you.