INTHEBLACK October 2021 - Magazine - Page 59
“I hope we see a more inclusive workplace. With
that said, I think we could very well also see the next
generation of politicking emerge.
“People will figure out how to use virtual breakout
rooms, private chats in meetings, and so on. These things
will be political tools that people can use for good or evil.
“Still, I think it may be a different group that
comes out on top – a group that sees benefits not
necessarily from their gender, ethnicity, elite school
networks, etc., but rather from their tech-savviness.”
POLITICAL PROGRESS
Melissa Lewis, personal brand and image coach
and founder of The Ascension Group, says a crucial
component to advancing your career is making sure
the right people know you have done an excellent
job. “Office politics have always been there, but it’s on
multiple platforms now,” says Lewis.
“It’s less apparent to many, but for those trying to
work up the corporate ladder, or jump from middle
management to senior management, if you don’t
have that physical presence, you could end up being
the workhorse that never gets seen and never gets
appreciated. That’s one of the dangers of remote work
– you can become hidden.”
She agrees with Olsen that the “old boys’ networks”,
while not finished, may not hold the same kind
of influence they did before COVID-19 in many
Melissa Lewis,
The Ascension Group
“OFFICE POLITICS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE,
BUT IT’S ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS NOW. IT’S
LESS APPARENT TO MANY, BUT...IF YOU DON’T
HAVE THAT PHYSICAL PRESENCE, YOU COULD
END UP BEING THE WORKHORSE THAT NEVER
GETS SEEN AND NEVER GETS APPRECIATED.”
MELISSA LEWIS, THE ASCENSION GROUP
intheblack.com October 2021 59