The best designs don’t just happen — they’re strategically championed
A while ago, someone asked me a question I hear often: “How do I avoid office politics?”
It’s a great question, but here’s the reality — escaping office politics isn’t an option.
It’s always there, whether you acknowledge it or not.
As designers, we’re often told to focus on the pixels, the layout, the user experience, and the user research – but what about the dynamics we face in the office? The truth is, we can’t avoid office politics. It’s as inherent as the work we do. In fact, understanding and navigating office politics is one of the most crucial skills we can develop as designers and design leaders.
But there’s a critical element of our profession that design schools conveniently forget to mention: navigating the complex human dynamics that determine whether our beautiful Figma designs ever see the light of day.
This invisible skill — mastering office politics — often separates good designers from exceptional ones who drive real impact.
Politics and technical constraints are part of the fabric of every workplace, and they manifest in everything from team collaboration to decision-making and even daily interactions.
“The best leaders understand that unity and shared purpose transcend the complexities of office politics.” — John F. Kennedy
The reality no one wants to acknowledge
Politics and technical constraints are woven into the fabric of every workplace. They manifest in team collaborations, decision-making processes, and even casual conversations at the coffee machine.
Those perfect pixels we pour our hearts into? They rarely ship in their pristine form — if they ship at all.
So if we can’t escape office politics, how do we transform this potential obstacle into a strategic advantage?
My personal design concept
Designing beyond the screen
Here are my five strategies for mastering workplace dynamics:
Recognize the human element — Most “political” behavior isn’t malicious — it’s human. When a product manager seemed to be undermining my design direction, a candid conversation revealed they were under extreme deadline pressure and felt their input was being ignored. Politics often stems from misalignment, not ill intent.Build authentic relationships, not transactions — Early in my career, I mistook networking for superficial conversations over after-work drinks. I’ve since learned that genuine relationships — understanding people’s motivations, challenges, and goals — create magic. When I needed cross-functional support for critical design decisions, these relationships became my most valuable asset.Decode the unspoken language in every room — Every meeting contains invisible currents of motivation — personal and professional. I noticed during design critiques that certain team members engaged more deeply when they felt personally connected to the discussion. By reading these dynamics, you can frame conversations that resonate while still championing user needs.Communicate with strategic precision — In politically charged environments, how you communicate often matters more than what you communicate. When leading a cross-functional team through disagreements, I focused on clarity and outcomes rather than personalities or emotions. Connect your ideas explicitly to team goals and company objectives to give them staying power.Build your political capital intentionally — Impact requires influence, and influence requires visibility. Your political capital is directly tied to your reputation. Let your work speak volumes, but actively cultivate relationships where stakeholders understand your unique value. This isn’t about self-promotion — it’s about ensuring your voice is heard when critical decisions are made.
Maria Taneva explains that in large organizations, the lack of interdepartmental collaboration often leads to challenges for UX designers navigating office politics.
Interdepartmental collaboration doesn’t just magically improve — it takes effort. The real work isn’t just in the pixels; it’s in how we communicate, build trust, and create alignment. When designers take the lead in bridging gaps, office politics becomes less of a roadblock and more of an opportunity. At the core, it’s about bringing people together around a shared vision and making design a connector, not just another function working in isolation.
At the end of the day, great collaboration leads to great design — and great design only matters if it sees the light of day.
Pixels to product simplifying a portfolio design — Lee Yungtyng
The career-defining reality
The uncomfortable truth?
Creating exceptional designs is only half our job.
The other half is navigating workplace complexity, leveraging social dynamics, and building relationships that transform designs into shipped products.
The most successful designers I know aren’t just masters of their craft — they’re masters of human connection, communication, and strategic influence.
From designer to design leader
We endlessly discuss Figma techniques and design systems, but rarely address what truly elevates careers from senior designer to design leader: the art of influence, trust-building, and navigating organizational complexity.
A flawlessly executed design that never ships has zero impact. It generates no revenue, improves no user experiences, and creates no business value.
This mirrors the creator economy, where raw talent without marketing savvy rarely finds its audience.
Bruno Torres Boeger explains how accepting and learning to deal with politics can propel you forward in your achievements, but ignoring it can stall your career.
The truth about career advancement
As you progress, you’ll discover your work transcends visual elements. Success is measured by your ability to align business objectives with user needs, foster collaboration, and build momentum within teams.
Put simply: Good design = good business.
If you’re looking to multiply your impact, develop your emotional intelligence, learn to read organizational dynamics, and proactively build strategic relationships. These “soft skills” will distinguish you as a leader capable of guiding not just design execution but strategic direction.
Unsplash image by Reinhart Julian
Dance with your shadow
It’s not about avoiding office politics; it’s about learning to dance with this inevitable shadow. Master the how of working with people, and the what of your design work will naturally command attention.
By combining design expertise with social intelligence, you’ll unlock a new dimension in your career — one where you’re not just designing great products, but architecting your path to leadership.
You’ve got this.
Office Politics: Crossing Swords or Building BridgesWhy don’t your colleagues approve your mockups? UX office politics explainedOffice politics: the never-ending struggle for UX designersNavigating politics at workEmotional Intelligence in DesignEmotional intelligence in design: the skill of empathy
I’m currently a Design Principal & Creative Director at SAP, a spiritual and health enthusiast. I write about design, skills, careers, and systems. I’m all ears for your take on anything design or, feel free to connect with me on Linkedin or X.
Office politics: the skill they never taught us was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
