Workplace Politics Creates Employee Disengagement

Workplace Politics and the Risks of Infighting
One of the fastest ways to erode employee engagement is allowing infighting to fester, turning teams into battlegrounds of “us vs. them.” Our annual engagement research consistently shows that workplace politics creates employee disengagement across industries, geographies, tenure, and hierarchy. In contrast, highly functioning teams operate smoothly, addressing disagreements constructively rather than letting them undermine collaboration.

Differences Are Inevitable — Handling Them Is Not
Whenever multiple individuals collaborate, differences of opinion are unavoidable — on what work should be done, how it should be executed, and who owns accountability. Strong leadership ensures that these differences are managed on a foundation of trust. Leaders who actively cultivate a healthy work environment where varying perspectives are heard and resolved constructively strengthen both team cohesion and organizational resilience.

How to Achieve the Ideal
Because workplace politics creates employee disengagement, here is some field-tested political savvy advice on how to deal with uncomfortable disagreements:

1. Make Open Communication a Core Value
   Set the expectation that every team member treats others with respect — giving each person the space to share ideas, raise concerns, and ask questions without fear of repercussion. Encourage active participation during team meetings and create an environment where curiosity and inquiry are welcomed.

   Actively listen to suggestions for improvement and allow constructive debate to flourish. Make it clear that interruptions, put-downs, gossip, name-calling, or any form of disrespect are unacceptable.

   Lead by example and hold yourself and your team accountable for maintaining open, honest, and respectful communication. When open dialogue becomes a shared value, collaboration and trust naturally strengthen across the organization.

2. Address Disagreements Before They Fester
   Even the strongest teams experience differences of opinion — these won’t always resolve themselves. Left unaddressed, disagreements can escalate, creating divisions and “sides” within the team. Address conflicts promptly, while they are still manageable.

   Pay attention to negative remarks or discussions that show signs of becoming heated. Ignoring them allows tension to grow, undermining trust, collaboration, and overall team effectiveness. Tackling issues early keeps teams aligned, focused, and resilient.

3. Sidetrack and Manage Heated Arguments
   When a discussion threatens to derail a productive meeting, table the issue immediately. Arrange a separate conversation with the involved parties to prevent a public escalation. Establish clear rules of engagement: each person has the opportunity to speak, but the discussion must remain focused on facts and not personal attacks.

   Guide the conversation toward areas of agreement and shared objectives. If the issue cannot be fully resolved, require the parties to agree to disagree, while you, as the leader, retain the authority to make the final decision on how to move forward. This approach preserves both professionalism and team cohesion.

4. Seek to Understand Underlying Motives
   When an employee consistently stirs conflict, offends colleagues, or resists established processes, take the time to uncover the root cause. Are they struggling to collaborate effectively, suggesting a potential mismatch with their current role?

   Alternatively, there may be underlying factors driving their behavior — pressures, frustrations, or unmet needs that aren’t immediately visible. Understanding what’s happening behind the scenes can often provide the insight needed to address the issue effectively, either through support, coaching, or role adjustments.

The Bottom Line
A disengaged team is a costly team. Workplace politics is a proven driver of disengagement, but it doesn’t have to take root in your organization. Keep your workplace free from destructive relationships and avoid the “us vs. them” dynamics that erode collaboration. The antidote to a divisive atmosphere is a foundation of trust, reinforced by open, respectful communication at every level.

To learn more about workplace politics, download Workplace Politics Strategies to Effectively Influence Others