"Rules of Office Politics" is an excellent guide to increasing one's awareness of office politics in any career. Office politics is unavoidable and needs to be managed.

A good insight, shared by Dr Yeung which I think is most important, is that office politics need not be unethical. A general impression of office politics is one of backstabbing or sacrificing others for one's benefit. To be well-versed in office politicking can be used to understand relationships better and leveraging on them for the benefit of others.

This short and sweet book is split into 3 sections:

1. Assessing the political landscape

- understanding the realities of work

- use the grapevine as a source of information

- observe, listen, ask questions

- be a confidant, keep secrets

- perception is more important than reality

- figure out who are the key people and what issues that matter

- focus on a few key people

- network

- know the rules of the game that the senior management play

- take your time

2. Building significant relationships

- identify goals and plan

- build teams

- know which button to push for each individual, be flexible

- play to others' needs

- accumulate favours

- deepen relationships

- know who has access to the big shots

- have a good mentor

- build credible reputation and develop a profile

- champion company ideals

- Leverage on situations, networks

- Use non-verbal leakage to convey messages

- be humble

- seek criticism not praise

- help your boss (manage him

3. Confronting adversaries

- know how you are vulnerable

- concentrate on those who matter

- know the other's intentions

- collect evidence

- get second opinion

- steer away from official channels first

- pull adversaries to your side

- continual reinforcement

- prepare an exit strategy

To really appreciate the essence, I would encourage reading the book in its entirety and reflect on the concepts.