Exercise soft power -- and exercise often.

While I am no expert at garenteeing a win in office politics, what I can do is share what worked well in my life.

My father, Tony Zhong-Yi Liu, once said, "If you share your knowledge with others and do this well, you will never be redundant."

As you empower the people around you, you are taking several risks:

• They may backstab you.
• They may be irresponsible.
• They may take you for granted.

Some might say that sharing your knowledge is a form of vulnerability. You are reducing the relative value you contain and raising the relative values of those around you. Placing you into a weaker position.

In my opinion, this is incorrect. When you expose yourself, you are bartering knowledge for trust.

Allies

Developing trust amongst coworkers will enable you to have allies, this is a form of defence as well as a possible form of offense.

Defense because your information network within the office is significantly wider. You can hear about the opportunities, learn about hidden risks, or gather knowledge about additional allies or opponents.

Offensive because you now have a willing ally that trusts that you will share your knowledge and information. Regardless if you can gain 100% of their effort, you will at least have your 100% and a portion of theirs.

Amplification

By teaching your knowledge to others, you are amplifying the total output of yourself and your allies. You are improving the total functional capacity in a team setting.

This also allows you to amplify your scope of control by focusing your attention on new areas of interest.

Adaptation

Now that you can grow your influence by asking for the help of allies and control the extent of how your tasks should be executed, you can now focus on adaption.

When you teach something to others, you are showing them how to be adaptive. This teaches them how to invest.

When they learn something, or know something you lack, they can now invest in you.

This allows you to also be adaptive. To learn more, to be significantly more capable of producing results. Soon it becomes cyclic and you've created a pocket of office culture that helps you and your allies accelerate.

Allies, Amplification, and Adaption.

If you share what you know and share it well, you will never be redundant.

Treat your coworkers like family, allies, support pillars that can aid you in your needs.

Do not be the lone wolf that can not utilize more than the limbs physically attached.

Thanks for the A2A, Daniel. :)